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

How can we effectively invest and plan for the development of sports facilities if we do not even have a clear account of what we have or what is the condition of our existing stock of facilities?

The Minister of State engages with national governing bodies, as do I. They clearly show the massive demand that exists for increased sports facilities. Many of these national governing bodies have brilliant plans already in place. The missing elements are capital and core support from the Government. These national governing bodies have plans that would keep young people active in sport and help to develop the next generation of sporting heroes and role models. Their plans will help build a healthier society and increase participation in sport. At present the Government's approach clearly is not working. Participation rates are moving at a snail's pace and are a long way off the Government's targets.

In our alternative budget, Sinn Féin provided for increased capital funding to reopen the large-scale sport infrastructure fund for a fresh round. The national governing bodies are urgently calling for this. We have made it clear that Sinn Féin would increase capital funding for sports facilities, providing the sports sector and local communities with the modern sports facilities that they urgently need. The sports capital and equipment programme has been the State's primary vehicle for supporting the development of local sports facilities and equipment for the past two decades. The programme has done great work. It has probably touched every parish in the State. While it has benefited a large number of clubs, many in the sports community have been calling for reform to the programme to improve it and make its impact in communities stronger.

There is an issue with how the grants are paid, which I have raised previously with the Minister of State. The grants are paid after the work or equipment has been paid for and, of course, this causes problems.

I referred to a club in Ringsend. It is in a working-class community that does not have the resources upfront to pay for capital works. The sports capital grant is the only grant available to sports clubs for which it is necessary to pay upfront. All other grants can be paid in advance. Smaller clubs in particular do not have the cash flows and cash reserves to pay for work. This is a clear barrier that needs to be addressed.

The Minister of State mentioned the LSSIF and said additional clubs had applied. He might clarify how many clubs have done so. I ask this because I understand that only four groups have drawn down their funding from that scheme. How many groups have applied for additional funding?

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