Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the Minister for her support for the tourism industry. My colleagues mentioned the extension of the VAT rate and the high prices being paid in that context, particularly in the hotel end of things. This has not occurred in the restaurant sector. Several other countries in the EU have a split VAT rate. If this price gouging continues, perhaps we may seriously need to consider looking at the VAT rate, and perhaps splitting it and allowing the restaurant industry to continue with a reduced VAT rate. I say that because the same type of gouging is not happening in the restaurant industry. It only seems to be happening in the hotel industry.

Turning to sport, I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, for finding that extra money for the sports capital grants programme. It has been welcomed by all the clubs throughout the country, including mine. What is the possibility of the large-scale infrastructure fund, which was mentioned before, opening for applications? It was referred to in the Minister of State’s opening statement. We must examine where there are infrastructure deficiencies concerning various sports. I refer to identifying in the context of funding. I am going to be parochial and say that several counties in the midlands, including mine, do not have proper athletics tracks. A city the size of Galway, which has roughly 250,000 people, has only one hockey pitch. When this large-scale funding scheme opens, the funding must be targeted to where there are deficiencies. It should not be a case of putting large amounts of money into one or two or three projects. This is an aspect we must explore. Therefore, what is the likelihood of this type of funding scheme opening?