Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)

As a colleague just noted, one can say very little in two minutes. I will start by saying something very easy, which is to thank the Minister of State, Deputy McConalogue, for the investment my constituency has seen, in hurling, football, soccer, tennis and so many different areas, through the sports capital grant. It has made a real difference to clubs in my area. He will be pleased to hear we are already preparing for the next round of funding. I have met with several groups about it. The Minister of State might come to the constituency to visit some of the projects that have been funded and to meet with the groups that will be putting in applications.

I was particularly pleased with the regional funding that was given to a local school to make its facilities available to a regional sports body, Olympic Handball Ireland. There will be a fantastic new facility there that will benefit the entire region. I would like to see something similar being done in the area to provide a regional basketball facility.

There are two issues I want to raise. Mention was made previously of funding for League of Ireland academies. They are really important and I will be emphasising whatever can be done in that regard, particularly in this budget and as we go forward.

The second point concerns the Gaelic Players Association Indecon report. The value Gaelic players provide to the economy is very clear. People who box or play hockey can qualify for the elite athletes programme and avail of a stipend or podium funding of up to €30,000 or €40,000. Gaelic players are amateurs and they accept that. However, they are looking for their funding to go from €1,500 to €2,500 per person to cover the basic costs. Whatever influence the Minister of State has over our colleague, the Minister, Deputy Chambers, I ask him to exert it. The Gaelic Players Association does fantastic work right across the country and Gaelic players contribute in the same way as do many other sportspeople. We should be investing in them. I appreciate the Minister of State's support.

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