264. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to increase funding available to local authorities for improving or creating sea swimming amenities given the increase in the use of such areas, for example, new points of access and building of changing shelters. [6710/21]

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.

It is open to any organisation with a suitable sporting project, including a local authority, to apply for funding. Further details about the programme can be found on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. The Programme has funded safety equipment for sea swimming clubs in the past and the type of facilities referred to by the Deputy could be applied for. The 2020 round of the Programme is currently open for applications with a deadline of 5pm on Monday 1st March 2021.