Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the Deputy is aware that there is a commitment in the programme for a partnership Government on this. I am sure the Deputy is also aware that the draw-down could well be in 2017. That would be absolutely normal. I do not want this to be misinterpreted and I believe there is mischief afoot here. I made absolutely clear what this was. The Deputy is quoting from one part of what I said but not from the other part, which was immediately afterwards. Let us not be scaremongering over this.

Let me be absolutely clear about it. There has been considerable comment about the sports capital programme in recent days. There is a commitment in the programme for Government for an annual round of the sports capital programme. While stating today that I am fully supportive of the programme, I must add that the timing of future rounds is, as always, dependent on the annual Estimates exercise. That is not to say the programme could not be advertised later this year, with allocations being announced in 2017. That would see four rounds of allocations under the programme since 2012 on the back of three years without capital funding. This would be a considerable achievement in light of the continuing economic challenges facing the country.

Discussions are taking place on the next round of the programme, its shape and its possible priorities. Work is also continuing on simplifying the online application process to make it more user-friendly for applicants.

I repeat what I said yesterday to the select committee. No decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the programme - this is the part Deputy Daly did not quote - but I will discuss the matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, and an announcement will be made shortly. I hope that nails the somewhat misleading interpretation that I believe people have taken somewhat mischievously from my comments yesterday.

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