McDaid: Local sport is not being neglected

Sports and recreational projects are to receive a IR£40m lottery windfall in what the Government is billing as the biggest injection of cash in the history of the state.

Announcing the move, Sport Minister Jim McDaid was insisting it proves that local sport is not being neglected because of the Government's commitment to Stadium Ireland.

Minister McDaid says this cash injection represents an increase of 11% on the grants issued under the Sports Capital programme last year.

679 projects will benefit, the biggest include IR£400,000 for the Ballina Sports Centre and IR£350,000 for Donore Youth and Community Centre in Dublin city.

In addition, there are substantial windfalls for four regional athletic tracks.

Announcing the injection Minister McDaid could not resist taking a swipe at critics who say the massive investment in Stadium Ireland would be at the detriment of local sport.

He says since taking office the Government has given IR£101m to local sport and recreation projects.