Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish Noel Murphy well on his retirement. In my short time here I have had one or two interactions with him and I found him extremely professional. I am one of those people who have given him awkward things to deal with and he has done them in a very subtle but professional way. I thank him for that and wish him well.

I welcome the announcement by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, yesterday of the €8 million in CLÁR funding that will be provided to communities and sports facilities nationwide. This is particularly important in County Tipperary because there are many organisations and community groups that can apply for it. I encourage all those groups to do so. Grants of up to €50,000 are available under the initiative to support the development of community and sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more. For the first time under this CLÁR scheme, funding will be provided to carry out upgrades and improvements to spectator stands at local GAA clubs. I have already got clubs such as Clonmel Cricket Club, which is very new and run by a wonderful community, interested in participating. Renny Abraham, who runs the club, has been on to me already to see if they can apply for the programme. This funding goes directly to small communities and local groups in rural Ireland and it is very welcome. I thank the Minister for it.