Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1084. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46267/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Inclusion in participation in sport at various levels is an important focus for my Department which makes funding available for a range of inclusion initiatives. This is done primarily through Sport Ireland, the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport. Age and Opportunity is one such body that benefits from such funding through Sport Ireland. It received €620,000 in core funding in 2024 to promote the inclusion of older people in sport.

My Department also operates capital funds for sports facilities, which include accessibility upgrades to sports facilities.

The Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) is operated by my Department and provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. A key objective of the fund is to assist in the development of high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations to maximise participation and enjoyment in sport across all ages.

In the provision of sports facilities, the fund prioritises the needs of disadvantaged groups such as people with disabilities and older adults. All capital projects funded must conform to the 7 principles of universal design (www.universaldesign.ie.) to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities and older people. 

All grantees must sign a declaration stating that they agree that, from the date of the grant, they will not deny anybody access to any facility or part of a facility for which they receive a grant on the grounds of age or disability.

Additionally, the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the CSFF. Key objectives of this fund are to increase active participation and enjoyment in sport by those with a disability and older adults, and to provide similar access to facilities to all.