Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome both the Minister and the Minister of State and wish them well in their respective Departments. I will keep it tight as we are tight on time.

I welcome the unprecedented funding across all parts of the Department. It is probably the busiest Department and it is fantastic to see the support levels on offer.

Local radio was alluded to by a number of members. I was also contacted by my local radio station, Shannonside Northern Sound, which provides a fantastic service throughout the midlands and into the west. I am delighted the Minister will meet IBI in November and I support the things that are looked for, namely, the sound and vision funding, the BAI levy and the EWSS. I compliment the work local radio has done throughout the country during this pandemic. For many elderly people cocooned at home especially, it is the local radio to which they listen in order to get local news. They provide a fantastic service and deserve support.

I have been involved in Longford Tourism for a number of years to improve our tourism offering. I am familiar with the area and have a couple of questions. Is it being proposed to extend the stay-and-spend scheme? It is due to finish at the end of April but, at the moment, it is not being utilised. If, over the winter, people looking at booking something for next year knew there was an extended deadline, it might encourage bookings for tourism facilities. In the report produced by the task force, a monitoring committee was mentioned. When is that proposed to start up to monitor the proposals that were put forward? I compliment Fáilte Ireland on the media promotion done in respect of the stay-and-spend initiative. In all the counties, everyone is getting their share. They are promoting all 26 counties, which is fantastic. I look forward to seeing that across the four brands.

On sport, I am a former member of the GAA's ard chomhairle so I fully support, despite a lot of negative media, the championships going ahead. I support the GAA, which provides fantastic entertainment and will continue to do so over these long winter months. I compliment the players going out training. Some of them are driving 300 miles on their own to go to games. They deserve to be complimented on the entertainment they have provided and will provide. On the point made by Senator Hoey, all these games are available on GAAGO, which charges only a €5 administration fee. The ones not on RTÉ are not all on Sky, etc., but they are available to watch for a minimal administration fee.

I welcome the sports capital programme. Is it proposed to increase the percentage funding? Some of the recent ones were 30% to 40%. Clubs will find it difficult to come up with the rest. The large scale infrastructure fund is due to be reviewed next year. Will the Minister and Minister of State look at the possibility of opening it up? It is closed for the next number of years for any local authority that missed out the last time. There is no opportunity to apply. In my country of Longford, we were not in a position to apply. We are in a position now, but we cannot apply. I ask that that be opened up for use. I concur with Deputy Dillon on the Women's Gaelic Players Association, WGPA. I served on the Gaelic Players' Association, GPA, for the GAA.

Swimming lessons need to be looked at. One-to-one lessons provide a good deal of income for our community pools.