Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
225. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the proposed funding model for the Dalymount Park project which includes 15 million from the large scale sports infrastructure fund; if a stream 2 application has been submitted for this amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27291/21]
View answerThe funding model for the construction of Dalymount Park is a matter for Dublin City Council in the first instance. In relation to my Department’s involvement with the project, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027. Applications were invited under two streams. Stream 1 concerned assistance in the development of detailed plans and analysis for a proposed project. Stream 2 related to assistance for the construction or delivery of a project. Approximately €86.4m of the €100m allocation has already been awarded to 33 proposals,
Dublin City Council made an application, under Stream 1, for a grant towards the design work associated with the redevelopment of Dalymount Park and the allocations announced in January 2020 included a provisional Stream 1 grant of €918,750. Following a process of due diligence, the grant of €918,750 has subsequently been formally awarded to Dublin City Council.
While it is not proposed to open the LSSIF for new applications at present, my Department is undertaking a review of the LSSIF which is expected to be complete in the coming months. This review will consider, inter alia, progress on all existing grants and whether any additional grants should be awarded including to previously unsuccessful applications. The timing of any new call for proposals will also be considered. Any new allocations or a new call for proposals, whether Stream 1 or 2, will be dependent on receiving additional funding for the LSSIF following the completion of the review of the National Development Plan.
