Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today I raise the issue of local clubs and the access they have to acquire land for playing pitches. At the moment the Department of sport runs a very successful sports capital programme funding many clubs. I am aware of the two individual streams. The first assists with the purchase equipment and the second assists with the development of playing facilities.

I am thinking specifically of Castledockrell United, which is a club just outside Enniscorthy. It is a small club, fielding teams from under-six right through to men's. There will soon be two men's teams. At the moment the club does not have a pitch of its own. It is a small, rural club. Unfortunately, while the current model of the sports capital programme will facilitate the development of, say, playing pitches, dressing rooms or showers, it will not assist in the purchase of a pitch. The club found itself in a situation where two years ago it did not have a pitch of its own. It has been relying on the generosity and kindness of neighbouring clubs that share their facilities. Unfortunately, that is not sustainable. The club has achieved significant underage success by winning the Wexford youth cup and the premier division grade of Wexford youth soccer.

I call on the Minister for sport to examine the possibility of a targeted sports grant, through the sports capital programme, for clubs to purchase and acquire a pitch.