Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

592. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on his engagement with an organisation (details supplied) regarding long-term planning to ensure the sustainability of the League of Ireland, including the upgrading of stadiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47683/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The operation of the League of Ireland (LOI) is fundamentally a matter for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), which, like all National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), is an independent, autonomous body and as such, is responsible for the organisation and development of its own sport, including the organisation of its games and leagues and the development of its facilities.

Further to a commitment in the Programme for Government, consideration is being given to how the development of football academies might be best supported. An important piece of work in this context was supported by an additional funding grant of €1 million to the FAI in 2024. This funding enabled the FAI to recently produce a detailed report on the development of football academies, including a deep baseline audit of existing academy structures and needs, which will inform the development of an academy development plan. The funding also enabled the FAI to appoint an Academies Administrator to support the development of new academy programmes and to track their impact.

I look forward to further engagement with the FAI regarding its LOI Global Findings Report, which will be key to considering the next steps to be taken.

While the FAI has sought significant State funding to support its academies development plans, it is important to note the sizable financial support directed to the FAI and to football more generally over the past few years. Over €75 million in State funding has been allocated to the FAI between 2019 and 2024, including €30.2 million specifically to support football development and aimed at promoting participation in football by young people, with the balance in funding comprising Covid-specific and energy supports to the FAI and the wider football sector.

The 2020-2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and the FAI provided €5.8 million per annum to the FAI. A new MOU was signed on 17 December 2024, which has increased State funding to the FAI to €6 million per annum for the period 2024-2027. The bulk of this funding will go towards the FAI’s Youth Field Sports grants, which are aimed at developing the grassroots of the game, improving coaching and playing standards, growing participation numbers and embracing communities outside of the traditional base of the sport. Under the terms of both MOUs, the FAI has made significant progress regarding governance reform.

With regard to stadiums, €48.9 million has been allocated to football stadium projects at Finn Harps, Dalymount Park, Sligo Rovers and Wexford FC under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. Considering this significant state investment, it is important that we now see progress on the development of these four stadia. While future rounds of LSSIF will be open to further FAI/LOI applications, it is vital that the game itself also generates its own funding for the development of its facilities.

In addition, €76 million has been allocated to support the development of grassroots club football facilities nationwide under the 2020 and 2023 rounds of Community Sports Facilities Fund (formerly known as the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme).

The Government has also introduced changes to the tax code in the most recent Finance Act to incentivise more people and businesses to donate to sports clubs and NGBs, enabling them to generate increased external investment.

I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in all levels of Irish football and to see it maximise its potential in the coming years.