Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views with regard to a briefing (details supplied) which seeks to create a full time, sustainable football industry that benefits young people, society in general as well as the local and national economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23702/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Government funding for football is primarily aimed at supporting the delivery of programmes at local level, including programmes such as Football for All, Summer Soccer Schools and Late Night Leagues. Sport Ireland channels this funding through the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

Considerable additional financial support has been provided by the State for the development of football in Ireland, particularly via the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government and the FAI for the period 2020-2023. This provided for a package of funding of €5.8 million per annum to the FAI for the 2020-2023 period for football development. From that amount, €0.8 million was to be dedicated each year to programmes that underpin the development of the League of Ireland and the Women’s National League.

I have very recently received proposals from the FAI regarding funding support beyond the period of the MOU and in relation to the development of academies. These will be examined by my officials in consultation with Sport Ireland in the first instance.

The Government and Sport Ireland will continue to support the FAI in growing the game, in particular amongst young girls and boys and women. Participation is a key principle that must underpin grassroots sport and is one of the key tenets of the National Sports Policy. Investment in, and supports to, both grassroots clubs and national level clubs in the League of Ireland is important and our capital funding programmes are providing significant support on both fronts.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Under the last round of the Programme alone, over €25 million was provided to football clubs around the country.

Assessment of the 3,210 applications received under the 2023 round of the SCEP is ongoing. Earlier this month I announced a record amount of over €26 million in equipment grants under this latest round. These allocations are in response to equipment-only applications which sporting organisations submitted. Over 900 sports groups were successful in their applications for various types of equipment which will be of practical benefit to multiple sports organisations, their members and athletes across Ireland.

136 of the equipment-only grants, totalling over €4.375 million were allocated in respect of football projects. These were primarily allocated directly to football clubs but also include three grants totalling over €830,000 to the FAI for regional and national projects.

Further allocations under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, including those for capital works, and capital works tied with an equipment component, will be announced later.

Funding is also available from my Department under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). A new round of the LSSIF opened on 26 April. Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30m, will take into account population size, sustainability, reducing administrative overheads and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities.