Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know the Senator's heart is in the right place. I cannot comment on the particular application to which she refers, but given that she asked an honest question, I will give her an honest answer. As we have received 2,350 applications, the assessment process is going to take somewhat longer to complete. A management board meeting is to take place tomorrow and I have already given the Senator information that I will be imparting to the management board when I meet its members. The position is that we are hoping to be ready to proceed by the middle of November. I want the allocations to be issued by the end of that month because this will give clubs an opportunity to begin planning for the works they wish to carry out in 2013. That is the up-to-date position. The decrease in staff numbers in my Department has also lengthened the applications assessment process. In addition, we were really taken aback by the number of applications received.

We want to be fair to everyone involved and ensure all applications meet the criteria. There is no doubt but that I will be approached with applications which do not meet them. The Senator has made a very important point to the effect that every sport, particularly those which are minority in nature, must be given some of the money that is to be allocated. The three main sports always seem to do better. That is natural enough because they have more organisations and clubs. However, we must also consider the position of minority sports. I will be examining all of the relevant information and working to ensure, to the best of my ability, that there will be a good geographical spread in the funding to be allocated.

I must be honest and highlight the fact that the previous Government allocated money every year. We only have €30 million available to us and, as a result, many applicants are going to be disappointed. Some of them are seeking massive amounts of money. In that context, we will be obliged to consider the position carefully and then decide how we intend to proceed with the allocations.