Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his response. First, I congratulate the Minister of State and the Government for resurrecting the sports capital programme for the first time in a number of years, which is to be welcomed. As the Minister of State has noted, more than 2,150 applications were received; it is evident there is huge interest in the entire process.

If the Minister of State does not mind me being parochial, I seek the figures for County Carlow. I am always concerned about Carlow's small size and its being part of a dual constituency, because I note the smaller county in such constituencies always appears to lose out. Has a decision been taken on how the money will be allocated? Will it be on a per-head-of-population or a county-by-county basis? All Members are aware there are the same number of sports organisations in each county and it is important that they receive adequate funding. The Minister of State also should indicate whether additional funding will become available later on in the year through the local authorities, as was the case in the past year, for swimming pools or outdoor equipment, which are of great benefit to a large number of constituents. The Minister of State visited my part of the country in recent weeks where he saw at first hand the benefit of funding for swimming pools and sports equipment.

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