167. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he intends to announce the next round of funding under the community sports facilities fund; if any amendments to the eligibility or assessment criteria are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16722/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

When the Minister of State visited Tuam with his officials and held a meeting to give all the clubs in County Galway an understanding of what changes they might be able to anticipate in the upcoming sports capital programme and answer the questions they had, it was very warmly received. That was a really productive exercise. I welcome his statement to the effect that applications will open in May or June. It is very important that the Department continues to learn from previous applications as to what worked, what did not work and how we can move forward stronger into the future. As I outlined to the Minister of State previously, we have many clubs in Galway that are based in areas where the population is growing, where needs are growing and where further investment in required. It is vital that clubs right across the country continue to receive investment, that Government increases the funding for the sports capital programme and that clubs are supported to achieve their best potential. I firmly believe that this is the most efficiently spent money in the State, particularly when it goes directly to the clubs and they then make it happen.

Sentiment score: 0.44

I appreciate everything the Minister of State said. One thing that needs to be made crystal clear to clubs this year is the promotion of female participation. I do not think we give it enough attention. We have to make sure that any club that is offering sport to males and females has to offer equal opportunities, equal access and equal participation. In many different sports clubs right across Galway East, I am seeing how much female participation has grown and how much young women are becoming involved. The competition is fierce in our schools, our clubs and everywhere else. A marker has to be laid down in this sports capital programme that clubs which do not give equal access to women will not get equal funding.

Sentiment score: 0.20