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

If Dublin City Council owns it, it can definitely apply for funding. I am more than happy to meet with it and the groups there. The fact that it serves disadvantaged areas effectively means it will be top of the list and a higher priority than other projects. We would be very keen to do that. I am certainly happy to meet the stakeholders. However, the people who put in the applications are the owners and the owner is Dublin City Council. If the long lease holders are there, they can apply themselves as well. The reality is that while my office is more than willing to help, Dublin City Council is probably in the best position to gather people together. I will meet them any time about the programme but Dublin City Council is in the best position to gather people together and get this up and running. Whatever help the Deputy needs from us, we will provide it but they only have from next Monday to 8 September under this round of sports capital funding. If they apply, the fact that it is serving a disadvantaged area, and let us be honest, the inner city is without facilities, will certainly help them. There are no two ways about that.

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