Written answers

Thursday, 20 January 2022

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Sports Facilities

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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82. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on retaining two stadiums (details supplied) to ensure equal access for both clubs’ League of Ireland and Women’s National League teams. [2648/22]

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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135. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the significant importance of a stadium (details supplied) for women’s football in Ireland; the way that women’s football will be supported in the absence of the stadium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2647/22]

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 135 together.

The two stadiums referred to by the Deputy are owned by Dublin City Council. Accordingly, any development plans and issues around the future usage of the stadiums are matters for the Council in the first instance.

My Department provides grant assistance for sporting facilities through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Under the SCEP, grants of up to €300,000 are available to community organisations, sports clubs, national governing bodies of sport and local authorities to develop or refurbish sports facilities. The LSSIF is designed to provide financial support to sports projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and to date approximately €86.4m has been provisionally awarded to 33 different proposals.

Dublin City Council's proposal for the development of Dalymount Park was among the successful projects and a grant of €918,750 was awarded towards the cost of bringing the project to tender stage.  This design work has commenced and my Department made its first payments in respect of this grant towards the end of last year. 

In terms of future usage, I understand that a management strategy for the entire complex including the usage of the pitch will need to be agreed. While this is ultimately a matter for Dublin City Council, I understand that the current plan is that the new stadium will accommodate the male and female senior teams of both Bohemian and Shelbourne Football Clubs. 

With regard to future plans for Tolka Park, a key consideration in the assessment of any applications under the SCEP and the LSSIF is the likelihood of increasing participation including female participation and the government is committed to continued investment in our sport infrastructure in the years ahead. Any future application for funding for Tolka Park under either the SCEP or LSSIF will be considered on its own merits in line with the relevant assessment criteria.

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