562 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the criteria for funding under the national lottery grants scheme; if marching bands have been excluded from this criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10060/07]

The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, is the primary means of providing Government funding for sports facilities. The programme is advertised on an annual basis. Applications for funding under the programme be of a capital nature, which, for the purpose of the programme, is defined as:

expenditure on the improvement or construction of an asset and includes any costs directly incurred in this process; and

purchase of permanently based sports equipment, i.e. it is securely housed, and will remain in use for 5 years or more.

Also, only applications directly related to the provision of sport and recreational sport facilities are considered for funding under the programme. As marching bands do not fall into either of the above categories, applications from them are not eligible for funding under the sports capital programme.

563 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department has received an application for lottery funding from a club (details supplied) in County Westmeath; the steps he will take to ensure that same is provided for in the forthcoming allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10074/07]

The sports capital programme, which is administered by my Department, allocates funding to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The programme is advertised on an annual basis.

Applications for funding under the 2007 programme were invited through advertisements in the Press on October 15th and 16th last. The closing date for receipt of applications was November 24th 2006. All applications received before the deadline, including one from the organisation in question, are currently being evaluated against the programme's assessment criteria, which are outlined in the guidelines, terms and conditions of the programme. I intend to announce the grant allocations for the programme as soon as possible after the assessment process has been completed.