Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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1369. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the means by which Sport Ireland’s planned disability lead and associated grants to inclusive clubs will be resourced; the participation targets for people with disabilities under current policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43392/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious future for sport in Ireland where equality of access and opportunity is a key theme. Inclusion and diversity is an absolute priority for me in my role as Minister for Sport.

The Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 contains a commitment to increase participation in sport among those with a long-term illness or disability to 40% by 2027. Despite recent progress, there is an enduring participation gradient between persons with either a long-term illness or a disability and those without such illness or disability. Both this Government and Sport Ireland, the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, are extremely committed to making this participation gap in sport a thing of the past.

Increased funding secured for sport in Budget 2025 enabled Sport Ireland to appoint a Disability in Sport Lead in February of this year. The creation of the post delivered on an action set out in both the Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 and the Sport Ireland Statement and Commitment to Action in Disability Sport.

The role has the potential to be transformational and the Disability in Sport Lead will work with National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships, and other sporting bodies to develop and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport.

Additionally, Sport Ireland allocates €1.2 million at local level to fund a national network of Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) aligned to each of the 29 Local Sports Partnerships in the country. The SIDOs work in a coordinating capacity with all relevant stakeholders to increase and sustain participation opportunities for all people with disabilities.

Sport Ireland has also allocated an additional €2.4 million for supporting disability sport focused NGBs to continue their work in this area. This investment will help ensure that anyone with a disability, at any level, grassroots and above, can avail of their absolute right to enjoy and reap the benefits of sport and physical activity.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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1370. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if, as part of the new National Development Plan, consideration is being given to introducing a mid-scale infrastructure sports capital infrastructure fund to support sports clubs across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43393/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. In 2024, the second round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding. On 4 November 2024, grants totalling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. A review of the latest rounds of both CSFF and LSSIF programmes will be undertaken and that will inform the timing and approach of future rounds.

The National Development Plan is Ireland's long-term strategic investment plan, outlining how the government will invest in the country's infrastructure and development. This investment ensures sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. 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.

The Government recently published the National Development Plan, setting out total investment of €246.4 billion over the period 2026 - 2035 with sectoral capital allocations of €102.4 billion for 2026 to 2030 and a further €100 billion for 20230 to 2035. My Department is currently reviewing the allocations made to it and the quantum of funding available to sport will also inform future rounds of both capital funding programmes.