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

We will be in a position to do that in due course. I came into the Department just before Christmas. The review was under way.

We provided some input into it and the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, has done the same. It will mean that the sports capital programme will be better. There was no specific allocation when we opened the programme the last time. The decision was made during the programme. Every club or pretty much all of those that qualified received funding as part of that programme. It is our ambition that the programme will be as extensive as possible. Discussions have to take place with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. That is standard practice when a sports capital programme is being announced. In any capital programme, discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform are necessary. It is public money. The Department knows this is public money that is very well spent. Our officials in Killarney do an incredible job.

The Deputy mentioned Drogheda and what needs to be done there. There is an official in the Department who deals specifically with County Louth, whom the clubs can ring any time. The national governing bodies of the various sports are working hard with clubs to help them put applications together. That includes working with local public representatives and the sports partnerships in various counties.

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