Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

I commend the Minister of State on being able, in these straitened times, to find €30 million in resources to put into the sports capital programme and for recognising the importance of this project. I am startled to hear the figures for my own county of Kildare where, as noted by Deputy Lawlor, there has been €8 million worth of applications, which is almost one third of the amount in the national pot. This case of loaves and fishes is because we have had four years without a scheme due to the failure of the previous Government. This has left a backlog, and a huge number of clubs which wanted to progress with work are now unable to do so.

While great credit is due that this amount is available, it is obvious there will be huge disappointment because there is not enough money to go around to all the clubs that want it. I was secretary of my GAA club for seven years and I know the benefit that sports capital grants have brought.

It is important to note the population of Kildare has doubled in the past 20 years, and it is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. I stress it is important that due acknowledgement is given to this point because it is a county which has seen huge influx of people coming to live there and a huge amount of development. We need to be able to match that by providing sporting facilities for these people.

I welcome the comments of the Minister of State in regard to integrated and shared facilities and I agree we need to maximise our facilities by obtaining the best use out of them. At a time of serious childhood obesity and all the rest, it is important we target this money at areas where there is a lack of facilities. I hope that will happen.

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