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

The sports capital programme has over decades provided real support to sports clubs across the country. However, it needs reform. The sports capital programme requires clubs to pay up-front the cost of equipment or works, after which they can draw down the grant allocation. This is a deeply unfair method and has a disproportionately negative impact on clubs in less affluent communities that simply do not have €40,000 or €50,000 at hand. Clubs in some communities have been unable to draw down grants as a result. Others have to take out loans to draw down grants but not all clubs have the ability to take out loans or even bridging loans. Many other sport clubs can pay up-front. Will the sports capital programme be reformed to end what is effectively discrimination against clubs in less-affluent areas?

See this speech in context