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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 3

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Damien English

Ceist:

273 Mr. English asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will grant a one-month extension to 30 May 2003 for applications under the 2003 sports capital programme as the time afforded is insufficient for clubs and organisations to prepare applications and submit plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11014/03]

The national lottery funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country.

The programme is advertised on an annual basis. I advertised the 2003 programme in the national newspapers on March 23 and 24 with a deadline for receipt of applications of 5 p.m. on Friday, April 25 next. The duration of the application period is similar to that in 2002, when more than 1,350 applications were received. In addition, given that the programme has been so successful and has allocated more than €213 million to more than 2,900 projects in the past five years, it is well established as a vital source of sports funding and most prospective applicants would have been aware that the programme is run on an annual basis and would have much of the planning of the application already in place. Accordingly, I do not propose to accede to the request from the Deputy.

Questions Nos. 274 and 275 withdrawn.

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