Eoin Sheahan

What can be done to ensure that more applications are forthcoming?

Because as you say there, it's the applications.

It's on that side where there doesn't seem to be enough volume.

we put this up on our Instagram story yesterday that you'd be popping into studio.

We got a load of feedback.

There's going to be some specific questions here, but a lot of them are pretty broad and I think they'll apply to a lot of people who are considering getting involved in the application process in this round.

So Ciarán's been in touch to say, could you ask if we may see more municipal sports facilities going forward like we see in other countries?

The taxpayer may get more value for money as it serves multiple sports and it'll be utilised 12 months of the year.

Also, we need more

indoor and astro facilities in Ireland as the winters seem to be getting wetter.

Too many games getting called off and it's not sustainable and it's unfair on everyone involved, the players, coaches, volunteers, etc.

It does seem that there's just a load of local battles that need to happen here for local authorities to open up either educational facilities that have sports grounds on them,

or other community facilities that aren't being utilised by sports teams.

On that subject, Sharon's been in touch to say many clubs, sports groups that benefit every year from this funding are already established with their own facilities, smaller indoor sports in particular.

Those who depend on local schools for facilities cannot get access to this funding without long-term lease agreements.

School boards in general are adverse to entering this type of agreement.

While it's mutually beneficial, there is no onus on them to do so.

In Kildare, we have had a number of new schools built that either deny access to groups or allow very limited access.

Feedback from local education boards or local representatives say it's up to each local school management.

This is a situation that needs addressing, especially as any local plans for community facilities are 10, 15 years down the line.