Sports Facilities Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Ceisteanna (417)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

417. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding allocated to the large-scale sport infrastructure fund announced by the Minister in his budget 2018 speech for each of the years 2018 to 2020; the amount of this funding he plans to ring-fence for disadvantaged areas; his plans to put safeguards and conditions in place to ensure that the majority of the available funding is used in disadvantaged areas with poor sports facilities as part of the process of his Department drafting terms and conditions for the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19823/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The recently published National Development Plan (NDP) contains a commitment to establish a new “Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund” (LSSIF) with at least €100 m available over the coming years.  My officials have commenced drafting the terms and conditions of the new LSSIF and I note the Deputy's comments in that regard.  I would be happy to receive any additional observations that the Deputy may wish to make.  My officials have also engaged with relevant stakeholders for views. It is intended that the Fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount currently available for individual projects under the Sports Capital Programme.  

There is no funding provided for the programme in 2018. The amounts to be provided in 2019 and 2020 will be decided in the context of the annual Estimates for each year respectively.

An announcement in relation to when applications will be accepted will be made once these terms and conditions are finalised.