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

Deputy Ó Snodaigh is correct that at the moment, many people in the Liberties are being displaced into other areas and facilities across the city because they have none within their core area where they live and where their children go to school. I met some representatives from the local schools as well, who also need to see the development of proper facilities.

As a Government, we are there and ready. We were ready in the previous round if an application had been received in Dublin City Council, but it was not, and we will be ready in the next round. Any application for such a municipal multi-use facility partnering between education and sport is exactly the type of application that does very well within the sports capital and equipment programme. However, we need to see and ensure that there is follow-through from the council.

As the Deputy said, there is a responsibility from a community development perspective, when one looks at the deficit that is there. There are brilliant volunteers in the community there and people who are committed to long-term development for young people. It is incumbent that we partner with them as public representatives and they are given the opportunity to see long-term facilities right at the heart of their community. It is the least they could ask for.

That is why there will be another sports capital round. We have to finalise the timing around it. I would like to see Dublin City Council move and formalise a potential site and submit an application there. The needs are clear. I acknowledge the Deputy’s strong representations on this, as well with other representatives. I also want to acknowledge the Deputy’s recent meeting with the High Five Boxing Academy here in Leinster House, which is another group in his constituency doing fantastic work, again, providing opportunities in sport, particularly in the area of inclusion for young people. It is groups such as that that we need to support, but also provide facilities for all of the other groups that are within the Sporting Liberties group. Let us hope that an application will be made by Dublin City Council and there is an opportunity in the coming months for it to do that.

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