I raise an issue relating to schools, particularly secondary schools, which at this time of year have an awful lot of games on. They have hurling and football matches they need to complete in a timely fashion. Like everything else, there are finite resources of Astroturf pitches for games to be played on.

Under the last two iterations of the sports capital fund, all funding released to clubs around the country came under four pillars: community, schools, diversification and disabilities. It is disappointing to hear that clubs in small parishes that do not have proper, full-sized Astroturf pitches and which need to travel to neighbouring parishes in the county to hold games are being asked exorbitant prices for the use of those pitches in daylight hours. This is not about turning on the lights; this is about getting in the gate. When there are two clubs in one county being asked €300 for a 15-minute warm-up, 15 minutes at the end and to play the game, on top of €500 to hire a bus and €50 for the referee, is it any wonder we have a decline in sport in Ireland?

It was great to have the GAA before the housing committee the other day. "Let's stop now" is one of its campaigns. Let us stop what we are doing to our schools as well. Let the clubs which have resources and which got good funding from the State and the taxpayer open their gates and let in the young people to develop and promote their sport, whatever it is, during daylight hours. I understand the need for lights, the charge for the bus and the charge for the referee, but preventing children participating in school games because of charges is wrong. I request that either the Minister for sport or the Minister for education come before us to discuss the matter.