Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Sports Council, the local sports partnerships and the Deputies would all like to allocate the money, but the Department will do it and we will do it as fairly as we did last time. No matter what we do, we cannot satisfy every group.

Deputy McHugh is correct about boxing, which has enjoyed great success over the last few years. We gave boxing €1.2 million two years ago and €1 million this year to go down to grassroots boxing, and as Minister I am very proud of that. That is why boxing is progressing so well, and those involved deserve it because they have worked so hard. They bring in young people and take them off the streets and I compliment them on the job they do. I am delighted with that scheme.

We assisted the local authority swimming pool scheme and worked with the local authorities on multi-use games areas. Since we came into office we have spread the money. We have worked with communities, local authorities and State agencies. The good news is that we will have a second round. I agree with Deputy Dooley that the national lottery funding for sports and arts should have been left in place. We had no round of funding from 2008 to last year. This will be the second round in the lifetime of this Government.

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