Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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43. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has received a further update from an organisation (details supplied) regarding a new location for a centre of excellence in Cork; when his Department expects to receive a business case from the organisation outlining the revised location, scope and partnership arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63257/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provided a provisional allocation of €2,025,699 for the Munster Centre of Excellence under the first round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Scheme (LSSIF) in 2020. The proposal involved the development of grass pitches, an astro-turf facility, floodlighting and dressing rooms.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) wrote to the Department on 10 May 2023 stating that the Association no longer intended to proceed with the LSSIF-funded Centre of Excellence in Glanmire. According to the FAI, the decision not to proceed with the proposal was due to the fact that the original proposal no longer represented the greatest return on investment for the parties involved.

On 16 October 2025, the Department wrote to the FAI seeking a detailed update, which was received on 21 October 2025. The FAI has confirmed that negotiations are actively progressing with potential partners and that discussions are at an advanced stage regarding a potential new site for the Munster Centre of Excellence. The FAI has advised that it is developing a business case which will detail the revised project location, scope, and partnership arrangements for consideration by my Department.

My officials will meet with the FAI to discuss this proposal when it is submitted and I will revert to the Deputy with a further update thereafter.