Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, on all the work he has done in his area, particularly with the sports capital grants programme. Am I to take it that it is his aspiration to have another round of sports capital grants? If so, and if it is a matter of having to reduce the budget, it would still be possible to bring a sports capital grants programme for next year with a reduced budget if one were to perhaps exclude some of the larger sporting organisations and focus only on the smaller, less popular sports. A little funding for a sport that does not require a significant amount makes a big difference, for example, a rowing club. I have received feedback from some in Dublin which were successful on the last occasion.

It is important, if we are to go with a round in 2015, that if that is possible from a budgetary point of view we should go early. On the timing previously, while the grant is welcome, some clubs would appreciate receiving the funding early in the year so that they can get the infrastructure built in advance of the summer season when their particular sport might be played more.

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