Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein)

Okay that is fine. It is a requirement.

I am from County Laois. We have had massive population growth and we do not have the infrastructure or services or anything to go along with it. We do not seem to be availing of any of the benefits of this. We are an inland community. I would be interested in hearing about Sport Ireland - we have been crying out for funding for sports facilities - and its involvement in this. We were not involved in the six counties. I am quite sure we are not one of the 22 counties that have availed of the plan either. Perhaps the officials will tell me something different. I would specifically like to know about the inland, rural, midlands communities. Like Senator Rabbitte, I want to know about my constituency.

What is the process for groups? Can community groups apply for this? It seems as though there are a lot of hoops they have to jump through. I am thinking particularly of Panthers Basketball Club and Old Fort Celtic, a soccer club, which cannot get anywhere to play. We have all these grounds, but no way they can access funding to engage in sport and recreational activities.