Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and I acknowledge what he and the Government did for sporting organisations during the pandemic. As he said, it kept many clubs afloat and it is important to acknowledge that. However, we are in another pandemic and there is a lot of talk in advance of the budget on household supports, which are vital, as well as business supports. Equally, there will be sports clubs that will need to be kept afloat. If you go to any park the floodlights will be on and swimming pools need to be kept open, even though they are costly. Many clubs that are drawing down these grants and other funds are struggling and it is important that a lifeline is thrown to them. The Minister of State said that 22 of the 33 clubs had progressed their applications but for the rest we need to ensure that where they need funding they get it and the sports organisations should not be allowed to die as a result of a lack of commitment by Government. The Government did not let the clubs go during the pandemic and I seek that sort of commitment and support to be continued during this energy pandemic for sports clubs. As I said earlier, the template we need to follow is that of the League of Ireland and Shamrock Rovers' facilities. We need to ensure those sort of projects and that sort of funding are provided for the League of Ireland, basketball, hockey and cricket. These sports need to be funded and they cannot be let go because of the energy crisis.

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