Seán Canney
Ceist:301. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on grants for 2023 (details supplied). [4358/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 31 January 2023
Ceisteanna (301)
Freagraí scríofa
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted.
The final set of allocations were announced on Tuesday 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
Details of all allocations can be found on the Department's website.
The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage. This requires detailed, ongoing engagement with all grantees.
Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review has now been complete and I have received a draft version. I expect to be in a position to publish this Review shortly. Any recommendations arising from the finalised Review will be reflected in the next round. Furthermore, my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the next round of the SCEP. Once this process is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted. The timeframe to complete the allocation process will be dependent on the volume of applications received.