Vol. 558 No. 6
117 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the schedule to be followed in respect of the next disbursement of lottery grants to local sporting groups; if his attention has been drawn to the particular need for these initiatives in the Dublin south west constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25246/02]
The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, provides funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country towards the provision of sport and recreational facilities. Since 1998, over €213 million has been allocated under the sports capital programme to over 2,900 deserving projects in villages, towns and parishes. There is still a demand for funding for the improvement of sporting facilities in every constituency in the country, including that referred to by the Deputy.
A decision on the timing of the invitation of applications under the 2003 sports capital programme will be taken shortly and publicised. It will then be open to organisations to apply for funding in accordance with the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme.
