Thomas Gould
Question:799. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the progress towards a centre of excellence in boxing in Cork. [38544/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (799)
Written answers
The development of a Centre of Excellence for boxing in Cork is primarily a matter for local boxing clubs and/or the relevant NGB in the first instance. I understand, however, that Sport Ireland and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) met with Cork City Council earlier this year to discuss the possibility of developing such a facility. I am assured that Sport Ireland is happy to engage further with both organisations to see how such a centre could be advanced.
In relation to capital support, my Department provides grant assistance for sporting facilities through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The 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. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas. The latest round of the SCEP closed for applications last Friday (8th September).
With regard to larger projects, the National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of the 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 first allocations were announced in January 2020 and approximately €86.4 million has been allocated to 33 projects.
With regard to a possible new round of the LSSIF, Minister Martin and I will continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in relation to the additional funding required and the timing and terms and conditions of any new round of the LSSIF will be announced in due course.