Vol. 518 No. 3
49 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has to reduce the disparity between counties of funding under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11499/00]
57 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has to introduce a more equitable approach to the distribution of funding under the sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11498/00]
70 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the proposals he has to address the imbalance in sports grants allocations between various counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11490/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 57 and 70 together.
The sports capital programme for 2000 was advertised in early December 1999 with a closing date of 11 February 2000 for the receipt of completed applications. In excess of 1,600 applications were received and the initial processing of these applications has been completed.
Applications received under the programme will be evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria which are outlined in the guidelines which accompanied the application form. While all applications will be treated on their merits, the highest priority will be afforded to projects in disadvantaged areas aimed at increasing participation, particularly for young people.
Each application will be assessed on the basis of the published criteria, but this year I intend to make a minimum of £200,000 available for allocation to each county, subject to the requirement that applications for funding from suitable projects, which meet my Department's criteria, have been submitted from each county. I believe this new approach will ensure a more equitable spread of funding between counties.
