Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 1

Written Answers. - Sports Capital Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

147 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which his Department is willing to assist in the provision of local sporting and recreational amenities; the extent to which this has happened in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22636/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the full extent of grant aid from the proceeds of the national lottery awarded by or through his Department in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22640/03]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 151 together.

The national lottery-funded sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of allocating funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.

The 2003 sports capital programme was adver tised in the national newspapers in March of this year. A total of 1,337 applications for funding were received in response. Following the completion of the assessment of each application, in accordance with the published criteria for the programme, I made two separate announcements of provisional grant allocations. On 25 July 2003 I announced the allocation of €39.67 million to 591 organisations throughout the country towards the provision of local sporting facilities. This was followed by a further announcement on 29 August 2003 of the allocation of €13.17 million to a further 26 key national, regional and municipal and multipurpose sports facilities.

Under the local authority swimming pool programme, which is also administered by my Department, grants of up to a maximum of €3.8 million are available towards the refurbishment of existing pools or the provision of a new pool subject, in either case, to the total grant not exceeding 80% of the eligible cost of the project or, in the case of projects located in designated disadvantaged areas, 90% of the eligible cost. Support is available towards the cost of the swimming pool, toddler pool, sauna and steam room. The provision in my Department's 2003 Estimates for the swimming pool programme is €9 million and it is expected that the total allocation will be drawn down this year.