Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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180. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to engage with the various sporting authorities, with a view to maximisation of sporting activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24542/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Since my appointment as Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, I have had significant engagement with the sport sector and I will continue to engage with and support sporting organisations on relevant matters, including support for increased opportunities for people to participate in sport.

I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to his question (no. 48) of today's date which sets out the ways in which I am continuing to assist sporting organisations given the increased importance of participation in sport and physical activity.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she expects to assist in the provision of sporting and recreational facilities throughout the country with maximum community benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24543/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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On Friday 3 May I launched the ‘Participation Nation Outdoor Fund’ for the purchase and installation of barrier-free permanent sport equipment that can be placed on public land for community use. A portion of that fund, under the heading “Amuigh Faoin Spéir”, is earmarked for biodiversity measures at sports facilities and details of this funding were confirmed by Minister Martin on Thursday 23 May.

The fund will be overseen by my department and administered by Sport Ireland with applications open to the network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs). Engaging in physical exercise and connecting to nature are recognised as two key wellbeing measures and this fund encourages the LSPs to work with their local sports sectors to develop initiatives that are of wide benefit and accessible to the community.

In line with the Programme for Government target of reaching 60% overall participation in sport by 2027, the outdoor sports equipment stream is designed to spur physical activity in local community settings by supporting LSPs with the development of sport projects on publicly-accessible land.

On 9 May 2024, Minister Martin and I announced over €26 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. The grants have been provisionally allocated to organisations across the country and to over fifty sports and activities.

Minister Martin and I were pleased to confirm yesterday that at least €250 million is to be made available for the 2023 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. This is on foot of positive recent enagement on revised allocations for the National Development Plan with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D., which has facilitated this largest-ever investment in sports facilities across the country.

The funding now available represents a 50% increase on the funding allocated in early 2022 under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and it should mean positive allocation decisions for all valid applications under the current 2023 Programme. I expect allocations to be announced by the Autumn.

Separately, on 26 April 2024, Minister Martin and I announced funding of up to €120 million under the new round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund which is open for applications until 3pm on Monday 1 July 2024. I encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process.