Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made in recovering €32,000 from a club (details supplied) regarding breaches of the sports capital funding programme; if sanctions have been applied to the club; if the club has made an appeal regarding the outstanding sum owed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32536/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms and conditions for the Sports Capital Programme state that in instances of non-compliance, a grantee will have the relevant grant withdrawn and the organisation in question will be barred from applying for future funding.
In relation to the organisation referred to by the Deputy, my Department considered on the basis of the records available, there was an instance of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the Programme and in July 2017 wrote to them informing them of this finding. The proposed sanctions included the repayment of €32,361.85 and the banning of the club from applying under the Sports Capital Programme for a period of 3 years, backdated to June 2016.
In accordance with the Department’s procedures for dealing with non-compliance cases, the organisation was informed that they could make a final submission to the Department if they wished to appeal this finding. This appeal was received on 9 August 2017.
This was further considered by my Department and a letter informing Bray Wanderers FC of the outcome of the appeal was sent via registered post to the Chairperson on the club on 12 January 2018. On review, it was determined that the first sanction regarding the repayment of €32,361.85 should stand. However, it was decided to backdate the 3 year ban from June 2016 to June 2015 because of the time taken to complete the examination. Therefore the organisation will be eligible to apply for funding under future rounds of the SCP once the repayment has been made in full. My Department will continue to liaise with the club in relation to this repayment.
