Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind Deputy O'Keeffe that in the worst days of the economic crash, in 2009, 2010 and 2011, the last government was able to reintroduce the sports capital programme. We did so because we realised that this is a labour activation measure in many rural and urban communities. It really makes a difference to clubs. Nobody on this side of the House needs to be told about the programme's value because we are well aware of it.

Deputy Munster said she was waiting for an answer, but this is the third time I have said that no decision has been made. I do not know which part of the term "no decision has been made" cannot be understood. We are only in July and there are still five months of the year left to run. The programme for Government is clear. The Minister, Deputy Ross, and myself have a commitment to ensure that the elements in the programme for Government concerning the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are adhered to and will be delivered. The Deputy might be disappointed later on in the year.

As regards previous allocations made under this programme from 2012 to 2015, the Deputy will find that the timeframe was not too different from what we hope to achieve.

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