Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the sports capital programme. I am the treasurer of my local club, with which I have been involved for the past 30 years. I have also been involved in a number of successful applications for the sports capital programme. The programme was launched in 1998 and more than 10,000 projects have benefited from funding, bringing total allocations to approximately €1 billion. This year, the programme closed on Monday, 1 March, and by the closing date more than 3,000 applications had been made seeking more than €200 million in funding. This is the highest number of applications since the programme began.

The sports capital programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting and developing sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. Increasing participation in sport is a central aim of our national sports policy and forms part of the programme for Government, which sets a target of 60% adult participation in sport. To achieve this objective we have to have the appropriate sports facilities in place. The vision of the national sports policy is a country where everyone can regularly enjoy taking part in sport and physical activity for life. This is now more important than ever as recent findings, according to data published by Sport Ireland, have noted that the gender gap in active participation in sport is now at its lowest level. If we are to achieve our ambitious targets on sports participation we need to continue to invest in facilities, and in particular target areas with low levels of participation and areas with huge increases in population.

The sports capital programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland, with improvements in the quality and quantity of sporting facilities in virtually every town and village. The facilities that have been funded range from sports equipment for the smallest clubs to national centres of sporting excellence. The vast majority of grants go to voluntary organisations and I take this opportunity to thank all those volunteers associated with these clubs for their tireless work and commitment to improving their facilities for the benefit of all their members. Significant changes to the programme have been implemented to make the process more user-friendly, including the simplification of the application form, giving applicants an opportunity to correct applications during the assessment stage and the introduction of an appeals system for unsuccessful applicants.

The programme aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to developing sport and physical recreation facilities throughout the country. In particular, its objectives are to assist voluntary and community organisations, prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas in the provision of facilities and encourage multi-use of local, regional and national facilities. In 2019, €37 million of public money was allocated and 37 different sports benefited. Dublin received the highest amount, at €7.5 million, and my county of Longford received the lowest, at €290,000. Over the past three programmes, Longford has received the lowest average per capitafunding in the country of €20.99. County Westmeath received funding of €25 per capitaover the same three years. This compares with an average of €33 per capitathroughout the country. This is why when decisions are being made we need to ensure this imbalance is addressed.

We know it has been a tough year for sports clubs as a result of Covid-19. Clubs have been unable to do their normal fundraising. This new round of the programme will provide opportunities for clubs to make improvements. I understand it would be impossible to fund all applications received in 2021. Given the large number of applications received, I ask the Department to prioritise in 2022 or 2023 any validated unsuccessful application made this year. If this were done, it would enable applicants to begin planning for 2022, whether through fundraising or finalising planning applications in anticipation of receiving funding in the following year. This would reduce the delay in projects being completed, and the Department has to give a large number of extensions.

Everybody involved knows the importance of the sports capital programme and the Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised how important sport is to our society. As well as the pleasure and excitement of watching sport, actively engaging is critical for our physical and mental well-being. I dealt with a number of application for this year's programme. Longford Tennis Club had to apply because its facilities were overused during Covid-19. Longford Rugby Club brought in all the children every Sunday morning, including my young lad, for training during the off-season. However, there is always more that can be done to make sure everyone, no matter their age or background, and whether male or female, has an opportunity to participate in sport in some capacity. This is why the funding is vital this year and will be important in the years to come.