Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter. I will refrain from reading the scripted closing statement. I agree with some of the points the Deputy made. He has a very strong argument in respect of the issue at hand. I will go back to the Minister and her officials on it. We need proper usage of State land when it comes to the provision of services. As already stated, we are delivering record investment in community sports facilities. We must maximise what we have at our disposal. As the Deputy said, 13 ball courts is excessive compared with what he is advocating, that is, a soccer pitch, a GAA pitch and a rugby pitch that can be used for multiple purposes by the community. It could provide so much enjoyment to these young people, but will also facilitate the teachers, the coaches and the volunteers in the community to have access to an amenity many communities do not have access to because there is such a shortage of land available.

Given the population growth within the Carrigtwohill area, this would serve the school and the community. The Department needs to refocus its efforts in trying to maximise this for dual use. We are not taking away from the flood mitigation policy that it is trying to implement, but we need to look at the broader picture here.

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