Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I appeal to the Minister to listen to the Opposition, whatever roles we may have next September. Over the past five years Deputy Wall and I came up with many ideas and they were not always heard or implemented. I think this Minister will listen to us and we are prepared to provide him with good ideas and initiatives.

The Minister is obviously in agreement with the report and it is stark in its analysis. It is based on the available data so it is almost certain that public money spent on sport in Ireland is regressive and represents a transfer of resources from the less well-off to the better-off. The report plainly shows that levels of participation in sport depend on household income and educational attainment and this is not right. I ask the Minister to intervene through local sports partnerships and schools. I posed the following question to the previous Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Will the Minister give priority to applications for lottery funding for sport halls which are submitted jointly by schools in a disadvantaged area and local sports clubs? A change in policy in this regard would lead to sports halls being provided in disadvantaged areas nationwide. Will he consider this request when allocating national lottery funds?

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