Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I am not trying to be adversarial; I am trying to be helpful and supportive. The impression I want to bring across is that I do not want to lose this year, 2016. A total of 1,600 applications were made last year for funding under this programme. This shows the starvation among clubs and how desperate they are for additional funds and resources. They are happy to put their shoulders to the wheel and progress projects on their own turf.

I will set out what the Minister said yesterday. I gather from reading the script that he has said the same thing today. He said it had not been decided yet, but he believed the decision would be in the new year, which is 2017. Therefore, we will have missed 2016. That is something to be regretted, in my view, and that is the issue I am trying to raise.

It would be great if we could mark 2016 by having a round of grants and acknowledging the contributions of these clubs. Last year in my constituency, Ardfield and Rathbarry Rowing Club, the sailing club, Dunmanway Boxing Club, O'Donovan Rossa GAA Club, Skibbereen, and various other clubs benefited and made great use of the programme. My hope was that, as the economy is improving, we could have a round of sports grants this year. That is what I am pleading for today to both Ministers. If that is possible, it would be greatly appreciated. I say as much on behalf of the people I represent and, I imagine, on behalf of the people the length and breadth of the country. As the Minister said, they would be most appreciative of it.

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