Written Answers Nos. 1-13
5. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the large scale sport infrastructure fund; the qualifying criteria for the scheme; the timeline of the next round for this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7035/24]
View answerThe National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
During 2020, allocations of €86.4 million in LSSIF funding were awarded to 33 different proposals. Last December, in response to project delivery delays experienced by grantees arising from the pandemic and construction inflation, Minister Martin and I announced additional funding of €37.6 million for 27 of those LSSIF projects. The criteria for the first scheme, plus allocations, payments and other background information can be found online on my Department's website.
It is important to emphasise that the LSSIF is a relatively new scheme with only one call for proposals to date. The first LSSIF allocations were announced just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic obviously gave rise to significant financial challenges for all grantees with many of them having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees. In view of these issues, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have taken place. The Review is expected to be finalised soon and any issues identified will be addressed as part of the terms and conditions of the next LSSIF call.
Minister Martin and I have also confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be confirmed in due course. While the LSSIF programme is aimed primarily at the National Governing Bodies of Sport and local authorities it was also open to other bodies, philanthropic funders, clubs and voluntary organisations to apply. However, such applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a Governing Body.
A fundamental aim of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027 is to increase the levels of participation in sport and physical activity across the population, with a specific focus on less represented groups including women and girls. It will also be a requirement for all successful LSSIF applicants to publish their Similar Access Policy, in respect of men and women having access to the facilities on similar terms in order for LSSIF funding to be drawn down.
From the government’s perspective, if we are to achieve our ambitious targets and get as many people participating in sport as possible we need the necessary facilities. In recent months, I was delighted to see a number of LSSIF projects open to the public, including the Linear Walkway Project in Meath, Phase 1 of Walsh Park in Waterford, and the Regional Athletics Hub in Limerick. By investing in sport facilities across the country, we can best nurture our future sporting talents and reap the benefits of sport and physical activity when it comes to our health and well-being.
Finally, 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. I am determined to see continued investment in sports facilities across the country in order to ensure we achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation.
6. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the total Exchequer funding currently allocated to the cost of TV licences for pensioners who are in receipt of free licences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6981/24]
View answer‘Free’ TV licences are awarded as part of the Household Benefits Package, administered by the Department of Social Protection. The Exchequer funding allocated for these 'free' licences for 2024 is €69.8 million.
Discussions on the future funding of public service media are continuing and I am committed to this Government being the one to make a decision on this long standing issue. However, as I have previously stated, a final decision will not be made until after the reports of the two independent Expert Advisory Committees on RTÉ are published. Recommendations made in these reports will aid in informing the process to re-build trust in RTÉ, which must go hand in glove with reforming the funding model.
It would not be appropriate for me to disclose the details of any discussions with Cabinet colleagues to date, or the options put forward by the Technical Working Group, until Government has completed its full consideration of the matter. It is of the utmost importance that the model that is decided upon can provide long-term, sustainable funding to a diverse, pluralistic media sector that represents, informs, educates and entertains the people of Ireland.
I believe, however, it is essential that recipients of the Department of Social Protection Household Benefit Package would continue to benefit under any future funding model.
