Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am absolutely certain all €56 million will be drawn down this year. There is no question about that. The projects that will use the balance exist and this money will be paid out. I will not have a surplus, much as I would like to have one. This amounts to 1,200 projects being approved this year. Clearly there will have to be capital funding for next year because there is a large number of projects in the system, an overhang of approved projects worth over €100 million. Many of these will be ready for next year. Clearly, there are difficulties for clubs in providing matching funding they had committed to. Also, some elements of projects have changed from what was approved and this presents a number of difficulties. My officials are trying to work with clubs to facilitate them as best we can.

The figure for next year is a matter for the budgetary process and I cannot say what that will be. It is not as if we are not spending any money, we are still spending major amounts of money but I have not opened up another programme this year. It is important to try to clear the backlog of projects outstanding this year and next year.

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