Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I had not intended to speak, but I was very troubled to hear the news from the Oireachtas Select Sub-Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, has announced that there will not be any sports capital grant this year. It is somewhat fitting that I wrote my wee notes with a pen given to me by the Federation of Irish Sport while sitting beside Senator John O'Mahony, one of the most famous bainisteoirí in Gaelic football history. It is an absolute travesty for many clubs around the country to know that the preparations that have been ongoing on submissions for sports capital grants will not now be needed, as the grants will not be provided in 2016. I ask the Leader of the House to ask the Minster, Deputy Ross, to come in and reflect on this. Sports capital grants are vital for sport, communities and our nation's health, but also for the economy. They provide direct returns in VAT for works and in PAYE for the workmen carrying out the works, and for the local economies close to clubs in many areas around the country. One of the most disappointing aspects is that sports capital grants are a little bit of a mystery. We do not exactly know when we will get them. We know that we are promised them and that they are good things, but we do not know for sure. That has a huge impact on clubs and communities. I have been working with a number of clubs in my area that are getting ready to prepare on foot of expecting a sports capital grant this year. This is now going into next year. Money that has been saved and preparations that have been made will have to be delayed. It would be a far better idea if the Minister, Deputy Ross, brought in a system where a smaller, annual allocation would take place.