Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Munster asked about the sports capital grant workshops in County Louth. Not every county will have a workshop. We have limited resources and a very small unit in Killarney. I encourage the Opposition spokespersons to go to the Department's office in Killarney and to see the work of the sports capital programme because we have a very small staff. They do not have the resources. Following my request, the unit has divided the country up. There will be three workshops in Dublin. Dublin was oversubscribed so we have added a third workshop at the Aviva Stadium. Athlone, Cork, Sligo and Limerick will each have one workshop. There is also a YouTube channel. As well as that, local sports partnerships are being empowered to engage with the Department's sports capital section. If there is an issue in Louth, Monaghan, Cavan or anywhere in the north east, there is no reason the sports partnerships cannot engage with the Department's officials and they can provide the expertise and support.

In respect of television rights, the listing is there and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment is the line Minister with responsibility for free to air. The matter is outside the scope of the games and events listed. It is entirely a matter for the national governing body as to how it wants to deal with it in terms of broadcasting and broadcast rights. In this case, the body is the GAA. It is not a matter for the Department.

In respect of boxing clubs, local authorities can make applications but the reason we require specific leases is to make sure that if things happen in the future, we do not put capital money into a property that can then be recouped by a landlord. This is why we have strict criteria for leases. It is important to point out that where there is an issue regarding leases, boxing clubs can apply for equipment grants. We are under-subscribed in terms of equipment grants so we would encourage people to do that.