John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It may be. The Minister has just got his present. In his response the Minister stated that more sports means a healthier and happier nation and more jobs. However, we should not forget that the €48 million allocated to the sports capital programme is a reduction of 14% on the 2009 allocation. We are almost at the end of 2009. Has the €56 million that was allocated for 2009 been spent or will it all be spent? Rather than saying he would like to open up applications, will the Minister assure the House that he is committed, if still in Government, to opening up sports capital grants again in 2011?

On the swimming pool programme, -----

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