John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important topic and the Minister of State for attending to reply. It is a simple issue.

As everyone knows, sports capital grants were suspended in 2008 and resumed by the previous Government in 2011. As far as I am aware, there has been a round of sports capital grants every year until 2016. Is there a timeline for an announcement of a further round of applications for sports capital grants?

Many clubs and organisations that did not receive funding previously or which are undertaking upgrades on a phased basis have been in contact with me and other Senators. It is around this time of year that sports clubs and organisations hold their AGMs. They want to put their plans in place. For an application to be successful, they must have matching funds and so on. I would appreciate it, therefore, if the timeline could be clarified.

The sports capital programme represents excellent value for money for the Government.They provide opportunities for everyone from children up to senior citizens, from recreational and leisure level to elite sports level, which leads to healthier people and savings in the health area. They also encourage young people to have dreams and ambitions and this helps to keep them out of trouble. We are all aware of this.

This is a rich time for sport in Ireland. We are punching above our weight at local, national and international levels. In the last few weeks, we had the famous win against the All Blacks and the soccer victory last Saturday night. The GAA is in every parish in the country. I heard at the weekend that a club in Longford is in the Leinster Club Championship semi-final. The GAA has its tentacles in every parish in the country. There is a great feel-good factor around it. We have enough to be down and out about. Sport always uplifts us. I know that the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, is aware of that. The ambitions of our sporting heroes of today started when their parents enrolled them in their local clubs and organisations at six or seven years of age. Money spent in this area is money well spent.