Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to be in any way critical of the manner of distribution of the money. I am very happy with the way it is done. However, if we broadened the number of people, clubs and organisations that can apply for the sports capitation grant, it would broaden the base, for example, if applications could come through schools and the like. The applications opened in 2018 and there was a window to get an application in but some clubs and schools said they would wait for the next round because they would not have their application properly in order for the deadline. We are into the second year of determining the current applications. The process is too drawn out and many clubs and organisations wait too long for an opportunity to apply. I am asking that we streamline the process. The Government initially committed to running the sports capitation grant on an annual basis but in four years, we have had only one programme fully completed.