Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

The last two rounds of sports capital grants, delivered by Fianna Fáil Ministers in the Department, resulted in record levels of funding for north Tipperary. I was particularly delighted in the last round to have worked with Nenagh Hockey Club and BT Harps in Templemore, both of which got regional status for grants. BT Harps now have a full-size AstroTurf pitch in Templemore that is fully operational. Nenagh Hockey Club is progressing with the work on its new facilities on the grounds of Nenagh College. Those facilities are absolutely fantastic.

What I wish to touch on today - it is something I have discussed with the Minister of State and raised on the floor of this House before - is the large-scale infrastructure fund, which was announced last November, prior to my election to this House. Tipperary GAA had applied for a multisport complex on the Technological University of the Shannon campus in Thurles in my constituency. This was done in conjunction with Tennis Ireland and Tipperary County Council. The application was unsuccessful - the Minister of State and I have discussed it - as was Tipperary GAA's application for the development of the Kinane Stand in Semple Stadium. We need to see more funding going into the large-scale infrastructure fund, particularly in the context of the success we need to see in Tipperary in terms of delivering infrastructure.

These statements are on the positive impact on the sporting landscape of this funding. Those in the House who represent Tipperary - I see one or two Members from the Rebel County here - we know the positive impact the outcome of the all-Ireland final had in county this year in encouraging young people to take up hurling and Gaelic football, but we need these facilities. We badly need to get Semple Stadium redeveloped and funding put in place, but we also need to see the multisport complex to which I refer. I want to do as much as I can to emphasise Tipperary GAA's need for funding for the multisport complex on the grounds of TUS and for Kinane Stand in Semple Stadium.

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