Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. We had duplication because of a simultaneous Committee of Public Accounts event. I apologise for not being here for most of the session.

I wish to deal with two issues. The Minister described disadvantage. It is right that we look at things from the bottom up. Sport plays an important role in all of our lives. These grants are particularly important. I understand the methodology for determining disadvantage. However, there is also another disadvantage that sometimes does not get counted. How does the Department consider new areas? These areas are really collections of houses. Often, there is little disposable income because of mortgages and so on. It is difficult to try to build facilities from scratch where people are trying to organise community building. Is there any mapping of needs as we develop new communities with regard to the provision of sports? Most of our facilities have come about by virtue of raffles and various fundraising activities. It is incredibly difficult to build everything from scratch. How is that considered in particular?

The point about the optics has been made. I am referring to the perception of assistance from the inside. I understand there is a process and that the process is rigorous, but damage is done when there is the appearance of assistance from the inside, even if it is only in filling out forms. What can be done to ensure this process is as publicly inclusive as possible? What can be done to ensure this is the case even more than has been the case to date? I realise workshops are carried out, but the very fact that forms are not properly filled in and so on tends to suggest that some people are better able to cope with the process than others.