Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

From what the Deputy has described, I would say the work is very important and valuable to the communities, particularly to disadvantaged new communities. This is investment well spent in the context of any Government expenditure to support fantastic clubs like this.

With regard to the LSSIF, there is ongoing engagement between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on the next LSSIF round and looking at the learning experiences from some of the projects that were grantees in the previous round and perhaps were not able to draw that down. Once these discussions are concluded, it is my understanding that an announcement will be made in respect of any new round of the LSSIF and a new call for proposals under the SCEP. I am assured by the Department that it will be happy to consider any applications either directly from Dublin City Council or if a lease arrangement can be secured over time. Again, I can give the Deputy the information when we have concluded.

Dublin City Council has been successful with a number of grants for Alfie Byrne Road in 2007 and 2008 and also in 2014, so a significant element of funding has already been put into the community there. In 2015, it also received another round of SCEP funding of €104,004 for pitch improvements in Fairview Park. Belvedere Football Club received an equipment grant of €30,000 and East Wall had not previously applied for SCEP funding. Again, we would urge all parties to engage in the process, look for the grant rounds when they come out, apply for them and be proactive. Given the work the Deputy has described, they are doing very important work. I thank the Deputy.

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