Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his answer. I recently attended a briefing given by the Federation of Irish Sport. It made a very compelling case that 150 jobs could be created for the sum of €4.85 million, which is very small in overall budgetary terms. There is long-standing evidence that sport and exercise can reduce expenditure in the health service and other areas. For example, it costs €270,000 to detain a young person for a year in Oberstown. For €15,000, the FAI organised late-night leagues that led to a 49% reduction in Garda call-outs.

There is great concern over large increases in rates pertaining to the Aviva and Croke Park stadiums. The money in question could deliver services for communities. Has the Minister of State considered this or met any of the organisations in question?

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