Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for her kind words. The Deputy is correct. This is the first time since 2008 that we have had a new round of the sports capital programme. It was difficult enough to get the funding and I compliment my colleagues who supported me very strongly as establishing this programme was a commitment in the programme for Government. The Deputy is quite correct that clubs throughout the country want to upgrade their facilities.

The Deputy asked me three questions. Gaeltachtaí are included; they were not included in 2008 but they are now. Everybody in the country is included and can make an application. Application forms will be available in Irish and applications can be made as Gaeilge. With regard to disadvantaged areas I have decreased the local contribution in RAPID areas from 10% to 5% and in CLÁR areas from 15% to 10%. The overall contribution for people outside of these areas will be 15%.

We have also made the forms easier for people to understand so it will be easier for them to make applications. I will not state it will be any easier for them to get funding as there will be a big demand for it. What I am saying is that the fund is open now and I have broken it down into two categories with €26 million for projects under €300,000 and €4 million for regional projects. It is a good news story. The Government made a commitment on this and sports capital funding is now open. Everyone has an opportunity to make an application.

See this speech in context