Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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501. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress of the proposed national velodrome at Abbotstown, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32891/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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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 included a commitment to develop a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the National Sports Campus in 2020 and 2021. The proposal at that time comprised a 250-metre cycling track, 12-16 Badminton Courts in the in-track area, spectator seating and ancillary facilities including office space.

A review of the original design scheme for the project was undertaken by Sport Ireland in 2019 to assess the suitability and fitness of the design for present and future purposes. The review, which was completed in October 2019, proposed a number of design changes.

Sport Ireland submitted a revised business case for the project to my Department in May 2020. This is currently being examined by my officials in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.

Any decision on this project will be subject to Ministerial approval and the availability of funding.