Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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347. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to open funding for large-scale sports infrastructure funding as detailed under the Programme for Government; if so, when the funding will be made available; if both stream 1 and 2 applications will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21314/21]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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348. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is considering reviewing previously unsuccessful applications for the large-sale sports infrastructure fund; if so, when this review will take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21315/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 and 348 together.

The National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m over the period to 2027 for the Fund. The aim of the fund is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount (€300,000) available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). 

Approximately €86.4m of this allocation has already been awarded to 33 proposals and the priority in the short term is on advancing these projects. While it is not proposed to open the LSSIF for new applications at present, my Department is undertaking a review of the LSSIF which is expected to be complete in the coming months. This review will consider, inter alia, progress on all existing grants and whether any additional grants should be awarded including to previously unsuccessful applications. The timing of any new call for proposals will also be considered. Any new allocations or a new call for proposals, whether Stream 1 or 2, will be dependent on receiving additional funding for the LSSIF following the completion of the review of the National Development Plan.