Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
606. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the assistance that she will offer in the redevelopment of Saint Conleth’s Park, Newbridge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41875/22]
View answerMy Department operates two schemes that provide capital grant assistance for the development and improvement of sports facilities.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. Kildare GAA received an allocation of €94,500 under the 2017 round of the programme towards the refurbishment of the clubhouse facility in Saint Conleth's Park.
The National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the SCEP. The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m over the period to 2027 for the Fund. Approximately €86.4 million has been allocated to 33 projects to date including a provisional grant of €4,875,000 to Kildare GAA towards the redevelopment of Saint Conleth's Park. The project provides for the construction of a new 3,000 seat stand, upgraded changing facilities, public toilets, floodlighting and pitch improvements.
My Department is currently finalising a review of all projects in receipt of LSSIF funding. Once that review is complete, the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.
