Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2018

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Ceisteanna (253, 254, 257)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

253. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the qualifying criteria for clubs or organisations to be eligible to apply for sports capital grants. [13343/18]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

254. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the rationale behind private organisations, including schools and sporting clubs, being eligible to apply for sports capital grants in view of the fact that State funding is being granted to improve services available for private enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13344/18]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

257. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the qualifying criteria for sports capital programme grant funding, in particular, the matter of private organisations, clubs and schools being eligible to apply for State funding under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13393/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254 and 257 together.

The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) as operated by my Department provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. The programme is designed to improve facilities throughout the country in order to maximise the number of people participating in sport.

The eligibility criteria for who could apply for funding under the 2017 round of the SCP did not change from previous rounds. The SCP is open to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools can also apply as long as they do so in association with a registered sports club or organisation. This requirement is designed to ensure that the proposed facilities benefit the community as a whole rather than just the schools themselves.

All SCP applicants must sign a declaration guaranteeing that they will not deny anybody access to any facility for which they have received a grant on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief, or membership of the Traveller Community without just, reasonable and proper cause. Clubs applying for grant assistance must also be open for new members to join at the time of the assessment process.

In relation to future rounds of the SCP, the Department is undertaking a review of the 2017 round with a view to making recommendations on how to improve the process for future calls. This review will consider any changes required to the eligibility criteria and is also examining what is feasible in terms of the scale and timing of the next round. This review will be complete shortly and an announcement regarding the next round will be made at that stage.

A value for money review of the programme is also being carried out within the Department that will examine, among other things, the impact that the programme is having on participation in sport.