Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

One thing we are trying to encourage through the sports capital and equipment programme is to have local authority-led municipal sports facilities. We have had many examples of local authorities leading out on that, including Meath County Council. It is commencing work in Dunboyne, for example. There have been projects across the country where local authorities are partnering with a multiplicity of clubs to develop parks in combination with sporting aspects. My Department is a willing partner when it comes to the capital infrastructure side of that.

When it comes to the facet in respect of land and land acquisition, that is primarily the responsibility of the local authority. It has responsibility in terms of community development, housing and managing development plans, as the Deputy stated. I encourage Meath County Council to come together with the local sports club, or even with multiple sports clubs, to see what land is available in the broader Stamullen area and then look at the funding opportunities that will arise. Those are the types of projects that yield the best participation, build better facilities and have a much better municipal benefit for everybody. I encourage all parties to progress that in the interests of young people whom I know want better facilities in their local community. I appreciate the Deputy raising the issue.

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