David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I congratulate him on the work he is doing in this area and the changes he is making. I will raise two issues with him. In some difficult cases, part of the blockage is that there is no hall or land available to communities. Clubs do not have the money or wherewithal to purchase land or buildings to do their thing, whatever it is. Has any consideration been given to providing funding for this? It has been said before that local authorities are very often in the same situation, in that they do not have the funding or the wherewithal either. Will the Minister of State consider if the Department or Government could purchase land or make halls or buildings available so that clubs can get off the ground?

The second issue relates to training and support for applicants for funding. What is going on in that regard? The application process can be quite complicated and daunting. Are training and support available for applicants?

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