Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1255. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure full completion of the national sports complex in Abbotstown; the timeframe for doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubstantial work has been undertaken already to develop the National Sports Campus to meet the evolving needs of the sporting community in Ireland and I am fully committed to its further development.
As the Deputy is aware, significant progress in recent years means world-class facilities are now in place at the National Sports Campus for a variety of sports. Most recently, Phase 1 of the National Indoor Arena, comprising a National Indoor Athletics Training Centre, a National Gymnastics Training Centre and a National Indoor Training Centre catering for over 20 sports, was officially opened by An Taoiseach in January 2017.
Other facilities in place at the National Sports Campus include the National Aquatic Centre, the National Horse Sport Arena, a High Performance Training Centre, FAI and GAA Training Centres, the National Modern Pentathlon Centre, the National Diving Training Centre, the National Cross-Country Track, Jogging Tracks and Trim Trails, a Multi-Sport Synthetic Pitch facility and two large multi-sport turf pitches accommodating Gaelic games, football and rugby. The National Sports Campus is also home to 27 National Governing Bodies of Sport.
Progress at the Campus is continuing this year. The development of a Cricket Ireland Training Facility is currently underway along with additional office accommodation for Sport Ireland and for one further National Governing Body.
Further developments currently proposed include Phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena, comprising covered pitches and ancillary facilities, and a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre. The availability of capital funding for these two proposed projects will be determined in the Mid Term Review of the Capital Plan, and timing will then be clearer.
