Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Taoiseach's overview of the use of facilities, with which I agree. He mentioned how multi-purpose sports facilities could be used by a number of organisations, but will it be Government policy? Will the Taoiseach direct the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he is allocating national lottery funding to give preferential treatment to groups that get together to provide indoor or outdoor multi-sports facilities? For example, they could have common indoor facilities and changing rooms while using a broader area for outdoor facilities, such as different pitches. This is a way forward, but what is the Taoiseach's opinion? Were he to endorse this approach, it would be important. If he would direct the Minister to fund, encourage and prioritise this type of application for lottery funding, he would make an important contribution to the provision of well-used sports facilities.

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