Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if favourable consideration could be given to an appeal by a club (details supplied) to provide a community centre and sports facilities to the local population in Dingle under the large scale sports infrastructure fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10018/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy, published on 25 July 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Community Sport Facility Fund (CSFF).

The total investment from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund since 2020 has amounted to €297 million, with 68 large scale projects receiving funding allocations.

The second round of the LSSIF, which commenced in April 2024, received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to €665 million from 96 submissions. On 4 November 2024, grants totalling €173 million were announced, benefiting 35 individual projects. Due to the significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage. Remaining valid applications will be assessed and placed in a prioritised order on this list and, as additional LSSIF funding becomes available, projects on the reserve list may then be funded.

Dingle Community Sports Hub applied for funding under LSSIF 2024 for the re-development of existing pitches, changing area, floodlighting, ball wall and spectator stand. While the project did not receive an allocation, it is deemed as a valid application and will be placed on the reserve list in due course.

The Programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels including people with disabilities and older people.