John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am trying to understand the amount by which sport funding will be cut in the coming Estimates. The Minister refers to €43 million of the €56 million provision, leaving €13 million. Does the Minister envisage this will be drawn down before the end of the year? Clubs and organisations that were granted funding in the past number of years find it difficult to supply funding to finish projects. If that does not happen before year end, will this money be available to them next year? Will it continue to be available until they get funding? If this does not happen, can the money be reallocated to the current side of sport? There are no capital grants for the coming year, the swimming pool programme has been closed to new applicants and Lansdowne Road is complete. It has been said there is a 33% reduction in current spending. This has major implications for jobs and governing bodies rolling out programmes that are dependent on funding from the Irish Sports Council. What are the plans of the Minister to continue to fund the current side of sport?

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