Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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411. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to detail the projected costs of the completion of the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42971/24]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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412. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to detail the projected costs of the completion of the national velodrome; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42972/24]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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413. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to detail the projected costs of the completion of the badminton centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42973/24]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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414. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to detail the projected costs of the completion of the new national cricket centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42974/24]

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 411 to 414, inclusive, together.

The National Development Plan 2021-2030 reiterated the Government’s commitment to the continued development of the National Sports Campus. In addition, Government approved the new Campus Masterplan in November 2022 and reaffirmed its commitment to the phased delivery of the National Sports Campus. The Masterplan provides a framework for the further development of the campus over the next 15 to 20 years and identifies the next key high-level projects for development.

An ambitious vision for the development of a national sports centre of excellence is set out under the National Sports Campus Masterplan and the Government will continue to support Sport Ireland in bringing this vision to fruition.

A National Velodrome and Badminton Centre and a National Cricket Stadium are important elements of the Campus Masterplan and I recently granted approval for Sport Ireland to progress both developments.

The National Velodrome and Badminton Centre will comprise of a 250 metre cycling track and up to 12 badminton courts in the in-track area, in addition to spectator seating and ancillary facilities. The Centre will provide world-class track cycling facilities for our athletes who currently have to travel abroad for both training and competition, as well as providing the sport of badminton with integrated training, gym and medical facilities. Planning permission for this project was awarded by Fingal County Council in January 2023 and Sport Ireland is now proceeding to tender stage. It is expected that construction will begin in 2025, with a likely completion date of mid-2027.

The objective of the project is to contribute to the success of high performance programmes and to increase participation in both track cycling and badminton, with positive impacts for both national pride and social well-being.

The proposed National Cricket Stadium will deliver a permanent home for international cricket in Ireland that meets International Cricket Council requirements and standards. The facility is expected to include a high performance centre, an arena for holding major games with associated media and spectator facilities and headquarter offices for Cricket Ireland. The facilities will be focussed on elite teams and high performance but will also be accessible for use by teams and players at a range of levels, including youth and local teams. The facility will play an important role in Cricket Ireland's plans to deliver on its co-hosting responsibilities with England, Wales and Scotland for the 2030 T20 World Cup. This project is now at pre-tender planning and design phase. The project will be delivered on a phased basis, with Phase 1 scheduled to commence in 2025 and to be completed in 2028.

For both of these projects, it is important not to pre-empt the tendering process in respect of the estimated project costs at this stage. I expect to be in a position to confirm the overall budget allocation for the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre by mid-2025. For the Cricket facility, designs works must be completed and planning approval received before a tendering process can commence.

The National Sports Campus is already a world-leading athlete focused facility and this next phase of its development will further enhance Ireland’s sporting infrastructure.