Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
195. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the capital and current funding that has been allocated to sailing in Ireland for each of the past ten years; the clubs or locations that received same; if there is a growth in the number of persons involved in the sport; and the numbers. [51985/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of current funding across a variety of funding schemes. Sport Ireland channels its funding through the National Governing Bodies of Sport. In the case of sailing, funding is allocated to the Irish Sailing Association.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the funding allocated to the Irish Sailing Association in the past 10 years and for information on participation levels in the sport. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
In relation to capital supports, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021. By the closing date, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures were published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed accordingly. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on the 6th August.
The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed. This work is ongoing with allocations for all successful applications expected to be announced in the coming months.
Details of all allocations, including those to sailing-related projects, made under the SCEP since 2000 are published at www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/. Likewise details of all payments made under the SCEP since 2011 are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/ .
