Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2017
590. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps being taken to enable an organisation (details supplied) to redevelop a stand; and if he will give consideration for it to be part of the review of the public capital expenditure programme for 2017. [25480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2016, the RDS submitted outline proposals to redevelop the RDS Main Arena. In March of this year, representatives from the RDS met with officials in my Department to provide an update on their proposals including the latest costings. At this meeting, the RDS representatives were informed that there is currently no funding in my Department's subheads to cover the costs of the proposal. In terms of financing sport infrastructure, my Department's main role relates to the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) but the scale of money being requested would mean that the SCP (under which the maximum grant is currently €200k) is not suitable for this purpose.
In relation to the mid-term review of the Capital Plan, my Department's response to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform includes a proposal to provide a new fund for large scale sport projects. If this proposal is agreed to, the fund would be used to finance certain large scale sports infrastructure and projects such as the RDS redevelopment could be considered in that context.
