Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to acknowledge that, despite prevailing economic and difficult circumstances, the Government has resumed the sports capital funding programme, which is an indication of its recognition of the need to support sports organisations in all codes, particularly organisations in the voluntary sector which are struggling. I am sure the Minister is aware of the great dependency of many of these organisations which are starved of funding. Those working in the voluntary sector are engaged in preventive work in tackling obesity, low self-esteem and depression among young people. It is hoped the Government will in this and future rounds of the sports capital programme provide a greater proportion of funding for small local voluntary organisations in all sports codes, rather than give a disproportionate amount to the larger organisations which have been surviving adequately for many years. I hope the Government will recognise and identify the need for funding at local and community level because of the special, valuable and preventive work the organisations and volunteers concerned are doing.

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