Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Crowe for raising what I know is a huge issue not just for Galway but for the west of Ireland. I know the Acting Chair has a great interest in rugby, and we all share that interest, particularly in these months. From that perspective, this is a very important project. It gets to the heart of the Government's approach of supporting balanced regional development, and is a great example of that approach.

The national sports policy was published in 2018 and provided for the establishment of a new large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. The aim of the LSSIF is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the sports capital and equipment programme.

The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019, with applications confined to local authorities and the national governing bodies of sport. I understand that all applications were assessed in accordance with the published evaluation procedures and guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. The first allocations were announced in January 2020, as I said, and included a grant of €10 million towards the redevelopment of Connacht Rugby’s Sportsground in Galway city. I have been informed that phase 1 was completed last December and included the construction of a new synthetic pitch, installation of LED floodlighting and associated groundworks. I understand the next phase of the project will see a high performance centre and the north stand developed. Detailed design development was undertaken last year to ensure clarity of design, inform the procurement documents and, in so doing, mitigate cost risks for this next phase. This is another important step in the delivery of what will be a superb facility for the west of Ireland.

The Government is acutely aware of the importance of the project regionally and the ongoing 2023 Rugby World Cup clearly shows the interest in rugby at a national level. Connacht Rugby will be rightly proud of playing its part in providing some of our Rugby World Cup stars who are performing so well in France. I know the finished stadium will provide access to appropriate facilities to enable existing professional players, as well as emerging talent, to fulfil their potential and go on to perform at the highest level. The region will also benefit from additional employment opportunities and economic spend created from the redevelopment.

The strategic benefits of the project to the entire region are also closely aligned with the Government’s national sports policy, which highlights the need for a regional spread of capital investment throughout the country. Over the past 20 years, Ireland’s stock of sports facilities at local, regional and national level has been substantially improved with the help of Government support under the various sports capital programmes. This investment is helping to ensure quality sporting experiences for all adults and children, as well as assisting lreland’s top sports stars to compete successfully at the highest levels.

I understand from the Department of sport - I am not going to give it its full title because I will trip over the acronym but we know sport is included with tourism and other areas in a very extensive Department - that there was recent engagement between that Department and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. In recognition of the challenges faced by some grantees, officials from the Department wrote to all LSSIF grantees, including Connacht Rugby, inviting them to apply for additional support by 4 August 2023. To be considered for additional funding, grantees were advised that the key elements of the project should remain as set out in the original LSSIF application and that priority would be given to applicants who provide evidence-based documentation to support their application. Connacht Rugby has made a submission as part of this process.

I understand from the Department that the assessment of all submissions is at an advanced stage and it is hoped to have details of additional grants announced shortly. In this regard, I assure the Senator that the importance of the project to Galway is fully recognised by all in government and the request for additional funding will get every consideration.