Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is the intention to open a new scheme. We are finalising the review of the sports capital programme. I came in at Christmas and have been looking at the document. The sports capital programme is popular and many of my constituents are asking me the same question the Deputy has asked. The total allocation under that programme has been €1.15 billion since it was founded in 1998. The last sports capital programme gave out unprecedented funding. Clubs are very good at spending that money and the Department is good at administering the programme to ensure clubs can spend it. We will finalise and publish the review Discussions are under way with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. I have had brief conversations with him, as have officials, about opening the next round. We will do that. My predecessor said it would be January or February. I do not think it will be February but we want to do it as soon as we can because we know clubs are waiting for it and we know how important it is for clubs and their facilities.

I am conscious the World Cup in Australia will lead to a huge increase in women and, particularly, girls wanting to play soccer. That will translate to other sports and heighten the profile of women in sports. That will mean new facilities will be required at various clubs around the country. That has been a feature of recent years as we have had more inclusion in sports. The sports capital programme will be reflective of that, I imagine, this year.