James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would appear that perhaps there has been a misinterpretation of the Senator's proposal. I take the Senator's point that the intention is not to prohibit future applications. As I understand it, current applications will remain valid for the next round of funding, so that organisations do not have to go through the entire process of reapplying in that situation.

I will certainly bring the additional points to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. I will ask the Minister of State if perhaps a representative from the Department can engage directly with the Senator to determine whether his ideas could be teased out further and could in fact be considered.

I fully agree with the Senator. The work in these clubs is done by volunteers. I was out with a local club, Cloughbawn, in Clonroche, last night. I have seen all of the work that is put in by volunteers in various clubs. It is getting more difficult to get volunteers to become engaged with the organisations. Younger people are living such busy lives that the number of core volunteers who have to do a lot of the fundraising is reducing each year. That is the case across all sorts of organisations. I certainly understand the Senator's point. I will bring the additional points to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. I will find out if the Department can engage further with the Senator on this most important issue.