Speaking on 5th March, the Minister said: "Many sports organisations were bitterly disappointed when they learned that their capital applications for Lottery funding, administered through Sport NI, had been unsuccessful.

"I became very concerned about the seriousness of this issue when several clubs contacted me for help. On one hand as Minister for Sport, I am trying to improve sports facilities across Northern Ireland and on the other hand, money that would have been used for this purpose has been redirected to London to fund the Olympics 2012 capital infrastructure. It really was a catch 22 situation.

"I am therefore very pleased that my endeavours have paid off and that I have identified a process through the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) which will more than replace the money previously lost.

"As a result of this money, organisations that have previously learned that their capital applications for schemes would not be funded are now likely to receive a positive response.

"I am very pleased with this outcome. This is good news for sports and good news for Northern Ireland."