Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I completely reject the Sinn Féin proposal to move away from the sports capital programme. We will not do that. We will stick with it and we will be prioritising disadvantaged areas. That is what we are doing and that is what the sports capital programme has always done. Areas of disadvantage are awarded higher marks under the scheme. There will be a transparent marking scheme and people will know what these projects are judged on. Disadvantage is probably the strongest criterion. Women in sport is really important too and inclusion will also be important. The sports clubs will have to consider all those things.

Clubs that I know are doing their work at the moment to get ready. There is significant support available from the Department. It is probably the most open Department in terms of getting information from it. Local sports partnerships in local areas also give support in places like Clare and Wicklow. The national governing bodies are also there to give support.

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