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

I accept that the programme has been of huge benefit to many clubs. As I said, it needs to be reformed. A sports facilities strategy is needed. It is not in place. It was not mentioned in the review today. Another issue I have mentioned previously relates to clubs in disadvantaged areas. I accept that the programme gives a weighting to clubs in less affluent areas but the difficulty is that if they do not have the money upfront in the bank, they cannot draw down the grant. That does not apply to many other grants the Department pays out. It seems unfair. A club that recently contacted me was awarded slightly less than €50,000. It cannot draw it down because it does not have that kind of money in the bank. That is a serious issue for clubs in less affluent areas applying for grants.

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