Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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541. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a tender to construct a new national velodrome and badminton centre has been published; and if so, when construction will commence [51692/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.

The National Development Plan 2018-2027 has made provision for the development of a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the Campus from 2020 onwards. It is expected that the proposed facility would comprise a 250-metre cycling track, between 12 and 16 Badminton Courts in the in-track area, some spectator seating and ancillary facilities including office space.

Planning permission for this project was granted in March 2015 based on a specific design. In July 2019, Sport Ireland appointed project managers and a design team to undertake a review of the project to assess the suitability and fitness of the design for present and future purposes. The review, which was completed in October 2019, proposes a number of design changes. The new design will require a new planning application. It is expected that this will be submitted in Q1/Q2 of 2020.

Subject to the outcome of a financial appraisal of the project, it is expected that a formal tender would take place during 2020.