asked the Minister for Education if he will consider increasing the amount allocated to the National Council for Community Games.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Community Games.
29.
As I stated on 26th July 1973, in answer to a similar question, grant-aided organisations, including the National Community Games, have been requested to submit applications for assistance in respect of their 1974-75 activities before 31st December, 1973. When the application of the National Community Games is received it will be sympathetically considered.
Is the Minister aware that there are thousands of children involved in community games throughout the country and that the allocation made is only £2,000, and will he now consider increasing that grant?
In relation to the first part of the Deputy's supplementary, the answer is "yes". In relation to the second part, I would point out to the Deputy that the application from the National Council for Community Games will be considered in conjunction with applications from other sporting organisations. It would be wrong for me to take any one grant-aided organisation out of course.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that there are thousands of children involved in community games—and it is very important that they should be so involved when they get to a certain age —when he is making allocations to various sporting associations?
Yes.
Is the Minister aware that when this was just a Dublin-based organisation and only in its infant stage, it got a grant from the Parliamentary Secretary's section in the Department? Will the Parliamentary Secretary ensure, now that it is nation wide, that it will get significant assistance?
The trend of the grants has been as follows: 1970-71, £500; 1971-72, £700; 1972-73, £2,000.