Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the support of Deputy Feighan. In Galway alone, there were three projects as the Minister of State mentioned. The proposed €20 million project for Connacht Rugby has actually started and a new surface has been put on the pitch. The project in Renville and Oranmore is being prepared to go out to tender. They have raised over €1 million locally to get that project over the line. I compliment the people in Oranmore. More than 10,000 people live in the area. The project covers 35 acres comprising four pitches, and includes a walkway and a greenway. Those two projects have benefited from the large-scale sports infrastructure fund. They would not have happened but for that fund. I compliment the Government on bringing that forward at the time. I would like to see another fund introduced. Sport plays a major part with our young people. An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Canney, is involved in a major project in Tuam with the Tuam stadium. I am sure funding from a large-scale sports infrastructure fund would benefit that immensely. I ask the Minister of State to look at it seriously. It could be done every two to three years; I would welcome that.

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