asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the allocation of capital grants for youth, sporting and other organisations for 1986; and if he will give details of the grants allocated in each case.

A total sum of £1.2 million is available in 1986 to meet existing commitments and for allocation to new projects under my Department's capital grant scheme. Due to the large number of grant approvals in 1985, which involved the carry-over of heavy commitments to 1986, it will be possible to assist only a small number of new projects this year.

The amount available for allocation to new projects in 1986 cannot be determined precisely at this stage as it depends on the level of expenditure on existing commitments in the present year. The best estimate at present is that a sum of £300,000 will be available for allocation and expenditure on new projects. Further money may become available later, depending on the trend of expenditure on existing commitments.

The following grants have been allocated in 1986 to date:

Decisions on the allocation of the remainder of the £300,000 now available for allocation will be made shortly.

Does the Minister agree that the money provided this year is inadequate? In previous years the Taoiseach gave special grants for sports at a later date than the original Estimates. As the Minister of State will realise, many grant applications have been sent to the Department and several millions of pounds are needed, and that is just for six projects.

I agree with the Deputy about the number of applications which have been made and their validity. However, the decision to allocate the amount of money awarded to this Vote was taken in the light of budgetary constraints. I expect to do the best possible with the amount available to me.