Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
679. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the funding application by a club (details supplied) for a new stadium; if the research and analysis into the project has been completed; the findings of such research and analysis; if there has been consultation with the club in respect of the project; and when a decision on the funding will be made. [12059/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports capital project where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital Programme.
The first call for applications under the LSSIF was confined to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Authorities. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) submitted an application for funding a stadium development project on behalf of the club referred to by the Deputy. On 10th January last, Minister Ross and I announced provisional allocations totalling €77.4m for 25 projects under Stream 2 (construction) of the LSSIF. In view of the limited funding available, the application referred to by the Deputy did not score sufficiently highly to warrant a provisional allocation in this first set of allocations.
The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that once provisional allocations are announced, the projects being suggested for funding undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate to comply with the Public Spending Code and EU State Aid rules.
In view of the fact that the proposed development had received previous grants from the Department, it was agreed that the application should also be subject to the due diligence process and the question of funding could then be further considered. My Department has been advancing that process in consultation with the FAI. On 7th May, my Department wrote to the FAI to confirm that it was satisfied that the multi-criteria analysis was compliant with the Public Spending Code.
Most recently the Department wrote to the FAI on 15th June 2020 seeking further information in respect of the financial projections for the project as part of that due diligence process and is awaiting the FAI's response.
In relation to funding the project, while Minister Ross and I are supportive of the project, given (i) the level of funding involved and (ii) the likelihood of a new Government being formed, final approval will be a matter for the incoming Minister.
