Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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328. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current up-to-date position regarding the construction of a new National Badminton and Velodrome Centre; and when he expects this project to commence construction. [13123/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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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 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.The development of a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre is the next largescale development to be progressed under the Campus Masterplan. It 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.

On 1 August 2024, Ministerial approval was announced for the project to proceed to tender. This tender process is underway and an outcome is expected in the coming months. Once the tender process is complete, Sport Ireland will prepare a final business case including costings for ministerial approval. Subject to my consideration of this business case, I hope to confirm the overall budget allocation for the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre later this year and that construction will begin before end-2025 with a likely completion date of mid-2027.