I met with representatives of the association mentioned by the Deputy on 23 April and they outlined the efforts they have been making to secure a suitable facility for their sport, including discussions with Dundalk Institute of Technology regarding a lease on the building referred to by the Deputy. Those discussions are a matter between the two parties involved and neither my Department nor Sport Ireland has any involvement.
With regard to the association, I welcome the efforts they are making to secure a permanent facility in Ireland and their strategic approach to growing their sport and increasing participation at all levels. The association has identified the provision of a permanent facility as being vital to their strategic plans to grow their sport. I am aware that Sport Ireland, the statutory agency tasked with promoting sport in Ireland, has been working in close partnership with the association and is committed to supporting the long-term strategic development of the sport in Ireland.
I can also inform the Deputy that Sport Ireland is in the early stages of conducting a feasibility study on the development of a permanent facility for this sport as part of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus. As part of this process, Sport Ireland met with a number of relevant stakeholders including the association and will continue to engage with the association as the feasibility study progresses.
Questions regarding the purchase or use of the building by Dundalk Institute of Technology are a matter for my colleague Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
