David Stanton
Ceist:211 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the grant aid available to support indoor leisure activities; the way in which it is assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11259/01]
Vol. 534 No. 5
211 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the grant aid available to support indoor leisure activities; the way in which it is assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11259/01]
The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, seeks to develop an integrated and planned approach to the development of sport and recreational facilities; to assist voluntary and community organisations with the development of appropriate facilities in appropriate locations that will maximise use in terms of participation in sport and recreation; to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of facilities; and to encourage the multi-purpose use of facilities at national, regional and community level by clubs, community organisations and national governing bodies of sport.
Projects covering both indoor and outdoor activities can be considered under the programme but must be directly related to the provision of sport and recreation facilities and be of a capital nature, which, for the purpose of the programme, is defined as:
Expenditure on the purchase, improvement or construction of an asset and includes any costs directly incurred in this process; and purchase of permanently based sports equipment, i.e. that it is securely housed, and will remain in use for 5 years or more.
213 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the reasons he does not provide any funding for the provision of playing pitches by Dublin Corporation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11282/01]
The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, seeks to develop an integrated and planned approach to the development of sport and recreational facilities; to assist voluntary and community organisations with the development of appropriate facilities in appropriate locations that will maximise use in terms of participation in sport and recreation, to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of facilities, and to encourage the multi-purpose use of facilities at national, regional and community level by clubs, community organisations and national governing bodies of sport.
Projects for consideration under the programme must be directly related to the provision of sport and recreation facilities and be of a capital nature which, for the purpose of the programme, is defined as expenditure on the purchase, improvement or construction of an asset and includes any costs directly incurred in this process; and purchase of permanently based sports equipment, i.e., that it is securely housed, and will remain in use for five years or more. The Deputy should note that the programme does not assist in the purchase of sites or premises.
In line with the aims of the sports capital programme to develop a planned approach to facility provision, clubs and community organisations are asked to consult with their local authority before making an application for funding. The purpose of this consultation should be to enable applicants to include the required formal confirmation in their application form that the proposed development does not result in overlap and-or duplication with existing facilities.
Apart from voluntary and community organisations, it is open to local authorities themselves to submit applications under the sports capital programme. A number have done so for the 2001 programme which was advertised in mid-December 2000 with a closing date of 9 February 2001 for the receipt of completed applications.
In excess of 1,450 applications were received for the programme and are currently being evaluated against the its assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines which accompanied the application form. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.