221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if an extension can be given to a Sports Capital Grant for a GAA club in Kerry (details supplied). [66007/26]

The club referred to by the Deputy was allocated €178,564 under the 2023 Community Sport Facilities Fund towards the construction of dressing rooms, gym. toilets and handball wall.

When my Department announced provisional funding allocations, all organisations were advised that they should proceed with projects as quickly as possible and should demonstrate a substantial amount of progress to facilitate drawdown of grants by September 2026 for capital allocations.

I note that the club has recently put the project out to tender; in order to allow the club sufficient time to make progress, my officials have advised the club that the deadline is extended to 1 October 2027. The club has also been advised that if it experiences difficulties in meeting this deadline it should contact my Department which will work with it to resolve any difficulties.