Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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36. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the measures he is taking to support the development of Dalymount Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51143/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Capital support for the design and construction of the Dalymount Park redevelopment is provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). It is important to note that Dublin City Council is ultimately responsible for the delivery of the Dalymount Park project and the associated project timeline.

In 2018, Dublin City Council made an application under the LSSIF for a grant towards the design work associated with the redevelopment of Dalymount Park. A provisional grant of €918,750 was announced in January 2020 towards the overall design cost for the redevelopment of Dalymount Park under the first round of the LSSIF. This "Stream 1" funding was for design costs only and, to date, my Department has paid Dublin City Council €353,226 towards the design element of the project.

Under the 2024 LSSIF round, Dublin City Council successfully applied for funding to renovate the Dalymount Park stadium. This project will provide an entirely new UEFA Category 3 stadium and football pitch. The existing stadium will be demolished to create a brand new four-sided enclosed stadium and a re-orientated pitch on the north/south axis. A LSSIF grant of €24,700,000 has been provisionally awarded for this project.

My Department regularly engages with the key project stakeholder, Dublin City Council. The project is currently undergoing a value-engineering exercise based on the overall funding available. I understand that this exercise is scheduled for completion in the coming weeks. The outcome will inform the design process and facilitate the further drawdown of Stream 1 design funding.

Once the design phase is finalised, construction of the project will commence. As the Deputy is aware, all new public investment proposals must comply with the Infrastructure Guidelines published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials will carry out assessment work pertaining to the construction project required by the Infrastructure Guidelines and will continue to engage with the Dublin City Council project managers. I am advised that the City Council expects construction to commence by end-2026.

I look forward to seeing construction commencing on this project which will deliver both sporting infrastructure and urban revitalisation benefits for the communities of Phibsborough and beyond.

Under the second round of the LSSIF, grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were announced on 4 November 2024. The cumulative investment allocation from the LSSIF since 2020 now stands at €297 million.