643. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Health when an application for national lottery funding will be finalised for a group (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the current status of the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37188/15]

My Department received an application for National Lottery funding from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. Applications for National Lottery grants far exceed the resources available. The lottery fund for 2015 has recently been allocated and, unfortunately on this occasion, it was not possible to assist in this particular case. My Department is in the process of notifying organisations of the outcome of their applications.

If funding for this project is required in 2016, the organisation may wish to apply for a grant from the 2016 National Lottery allocation which will open next January. I would encourage the organisation in question to reapply.