Dáil debates

Thursday, 15 February 2018

Other Questions

Sports Facilities Provision

11:10 am

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the ongoing development of the national sports campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7517/18]

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Could the Minister outline the ongoing developments on the national sports campus, allowing for the Government's excellent record in investing in sport, particularly with the recent sports capital grant?

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I thank Deputy Brophy for injecting an element of calm into the proceedings. Deputy Ryan has gone, so I will leave him alone.

The Government, through Sport Ireland, is committed to the ongoing development of the national sports campus. Sport Ireland is currently reviewing the master plan for the campus development, in consultation with the sporting bodies. The original master plan was drafted in 2004 and there has been substantial progress since then.

The review will be completed later this year and will be aligned with wider Government capital planning. It may also identify other possible projects which would add further value to the existing facilities, subject to available resources.

Work commenced in July 2017 on the development of Phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena and is due for completion in mid-2019. Phase 2 will see the construction of full-sized and half-sized covered synthetic pitches, primarily for soccer and rugby but capable of accommodating all field-sports, together with changing facilities, strength and conditioning facilities, offices and meeting rooms. This covered facility will provide our elite athletes and competitors in the relevant codes with year-round, always open, training facilities regardless of weather conditions, in preparation for competitive fixtures and international tournaments.

As part of the wider partnership strategy for the development of dedicated field-sport training facilities by individual national governing bodies of sport, Sport Ireland approved plans for the phased development of a high performance, all-weather cricket training facility by Cricket Ireland. The facility will comprise both synthetic and turf bowling nets with a turf outfield area. Work on the facility commenced in December 2017 with a scheduled completion date for the first phase of May 2018.

Work on new office accommodation for Sport Ireland and another national governing bodies at the National Sports Campus has commenced with completion expected in mid-2018. In addition, Sport Ireland is examining the feasibility of providing further office accommodation for national governing bodies which have expressed interest in relocating to the campus.

The Government has committed €16 million to develop a national velodrome and badminton centre at the campus in 2020 and 2021. The proposed facility will comprise a 250 metre cycling track, 12 to 16 badminton courts in the in-track area, spectator seating and ancillary facilities including office space. As the first indoor velodrome on the island, this arena will be a hugely valuable resource for our athletes and should also help to increase participation levels in both cycling and badminton.

11:20 am

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. My apologies to Deputy Brophy. He has the floor again.

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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That is okay. Things are much more civilised on this question. I thank the Minister for the information in that reply. There is no question but it is a tremendous campus. The investment which has recently gone into it will be transformative. What the Minister outlined will pay great dividends for us, especially at Olympic level in the sports which will be facilitated. I thank the Minister for outlining those developments.

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to raise this. It is a pleasure to do so.

Controversial and difficult decisions often have to be made in this Department but the sports campus is a living vision. I also thank Deputy Griffin who put enormous work into this project, more than myself. It is something we are very proud of. I will list some of the projects that have been developed there. During 2017, 1.095 million visits were made to the Sport Ireland national aquatic centre, cementing its position among the top pay-in visitor attractions in the State. It is the second successive year where it has broken the 1 million visitor mark and we are very hopeful that it will continue. Work on the Football Association of Ireland HQ was completed in 2007, having completed refurbishment of the former State laboratories to provide a permanent headquarters to the FAI. Sport Ireland institute was completed in 2009 on the refurbishment of the former central meat control laboratory to provide a permanent base for the institute; and in 2013, work was completed on the refurbishment of the former marine institute for Irish Sport HQ to provide on-campus accommodation for 20 national Government bodies. There is a lot more in addition to that.

Photo of Eugene MurphyEugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Brophy for his co-operation and also the Minister. Question No. 7 is grouped with Questions Nos. 18, 22 and 83. This means we have 18 minutes.