Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, 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 including Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney. The project was provisionally awarded €6 million towards Phase 1 of the redevelopment of the stadium to include reconstruction of the existing spectator terrace at the western end of the stadium and associated works. As with all the allocated projects, the project must adhere to the LSSIF due diligence requirements prior to the issuing of a grant agreement by my department. In that regard, my officials are engaging with the project stakeholders to progress the project and I look forward to seeing delivery of the project in due course.

I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. In this regard, it is noteworthy that 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.