Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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29. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on the work being done to assess the project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF 2018 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52398/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide an open and transparent system for applying for grant assistance where the amount sought is greater than that available under the CSFF.

The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that, once provisional allocations are announced, the successful projects will undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate to comply with Infrastructure Guidelines as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

With regard to LSSIF 2018, a number of projects have satisfactorily completed the assessment process and have reached the point whereby funding agreements are being finalised. In addition, a number of facilities have been opened to the public, such as the Linear Walkway and Playing Fields Project in Meath, Phase 1 of the Walsh Park redevelopment in Waterford, the Regional Athletics Hub in Limerick, Dundalk Leisure Centre Facilities Refurbishment project, MTU Athletics Track in Cork, Kildare GAA's St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge and the Charlesland Athletics Track in Wicklow. Furthermore, Munster Rugby's Centre of Excellence in Cork, the Sportsground redevelopment for Connacht Rugby, and Askeaton Pool & Leisure Centre are all due to open shortly.

The projects allocated funding from the 2024 round of LSSIF are currently making their way through the Infrastructure Gateways as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials are regularly engaging with the key stakeholders to actively progress these projects. While the timescale for the delivery of the project is ultimately a matter for the applicants, I am very keen to see as many LSSIF projects as possible progressing quickly.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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30. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans to reopen the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; and if he will ensure that the criteria will allow for local authorities to secure funding for public swimming pools in towns such as Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. [52396/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, continues to be provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which to date has allocated €28.9 million to 9 swimming pool projects.

The LSSIF is aimed primarily at local authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). The 2024 round of the LSSIF was also open to other bodies, such as sports clubs, voluntary organisations, Education and Training Boards and third level institutions to apply with applications to be submitted and prioritised by a local authority and/or an NGB. The LSSIF did not receive an application for funding for a swimming pool at Carrickmacross.

In previous rounds of LSSIF, priority was given to projects that were identified as a priority within a local authority’s development plan and strategic vision, demonstrating cross sector collaboration and clearly identified local priorities. All project applications were subject to the Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines published on the Department’s website. The full marking scheme and assessment process for “LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024” is published on the Department’s website.

I would encourage any prospective applicants to review the LSSIF scheme guidelines and key priorities as part of their preparatory process for a future LSSIF round. It is important to note that while these resources can serve as a helpful reference, any new guidelines and conditions associated with a future round of the programme may differ from those previously published.

Currently, LSSIF is closed to applications and the key focus at the moment is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The timing will also be considered in the context of the determining the detailed spending allocations within my Department under the National Development Plan as recently agreed by Government. I would anticipate that such prioritisation of projects would be informed by alignment with the National Sporting Policy and other relevant policies such as the National Swimming Strategy.

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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31. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of funding that Sport Ireland provided to organisations in Offaly over the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52243/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for the allocation of funding across its various programmes.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.