Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully understand the Deputy's concern about the rates of invalidation. In previous rounds, the rates were typically one third, which is far too high. It was addressed somewhat in this programme. We expect the rates will be down to about one fifth, which is progress. It is still something we need to do more on. I am aware of it as someone who is involved in grassroots sporting organisations. Through our role as public representatives, we have a lot of contact and are aware that an invalidation causes terrible disappointment and upset, and in some instances turmoil, within clubs. The most disappointed people I have engaged with in the context of the sports capital programme have not been people who were unsuccessful but who have been invalidated. Perhaps in future we will be able to do more to ensure the rate of validation can be as close to 100% as possible. We expect to see a much improved situation this time. This means there are more valid applicants for the same pot. We will still be heavily oversubscribed but it is to be hoped the situation will be better on that front this time.

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