The criteria used in selecting projects for assistance under last month's allocations for the recreational facilities scheme were the same as that which was publicly advertised for allocations under the scheme in 1994. The criteria included the priority of the proposed improvement-facility in relation to the organisation's existing facilities; the ability of the organisation to undertake the project; the amount of local funds available; the availability of other facilities in the area and the need to achieve an equitable distribution of funds on a geographical basis and also between the various sporting and community organisations.
In 1995 £805,000 was provided for the scheme from national lottery funds and £1.3 million from Exchequer funds. In the 1996 Estimates £1 million has been provided for the scheme from national lottery funds and £1 million from Exchequer funds. By December 1995 almost 2,000 applications seeking grant aid under the scheme had been received in my Department. In view of the very large number of applications, the amount of work involved for my officials in listing those applications which did not receive a grant allocation would not be warranted.
The present position is that all available funds are fully committed to existing projects where grants were allocated in 1995 and in previous years and where claims for payment are due to arise this year. The assessment of applications in respect of the geographical distribution of funds is undertaken on a county basis with reference to population figures. All records are filed on a county basis without sub-division within counties. For this reason it would not be possible to specifically identify projects which are in the general south Dublin area.
