Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The National Sports Policy prioritises accessibility in the design, build and management of facilities and it acknowledges that for certain groups, particularly people with disabilities, physical access is one of the potential barriers to be addressed. The policy states that delivering a sporting environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, ability or disability will be prioritised.

Capital funding for sport is provided though the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

The Scoring System and Assessment Manual for the 2023 round of the SCEP has been published and includes a criterion on "Increasing participation and/or improving performance". This criterion allows for the awarding of marks where the project clearly demonstrates how persons with disabilities will benefit from the proposal.

Additionally, the aim of the LSSIF is to support investment in sporting infrastructure that will reinforce the principles outlined in the Department’s National Sports Policy including increased active participation in sport by people with a disability. In considering investment in infrastructure that meets this aim, one of the main criteria on which LSSIF projects were assessed and scored was their ability to improve the quantity and quality of active participation in sport for people with a disability. Priority was given to projects that prioritised the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups including people with disabilities.

Minister Martin and I have confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course. I would encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process.