Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

35. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of payments of sports capital grants to Kildare in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64557/25]

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

My Department operates two capital funding programmes, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the most recent 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.

A total of €18,235,375 was allocated to 294 sporting projects in County Kildare under the last 3 rounds of the CSFF in 2018, 2020 and 2023. Over the past 3 years, a total of €5,243,317 has been paid in CSSF grants to organisations in County Kildare. Details of all CSFF allocations and payments made to clubs are available on the Department's website

In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.

The total investment under the LSSIF currently stands at €297 million, with funding allocations provided to 68 large-scale projects.

Under the first round of this Fund, St. Conleth's Kildare GAA Grounds was allocated grant funding of €6,031,960 for the construction of a new stand including changing facilities and public toilets. The project also included installation of floodlighting and upgrade works to the pitch. The project is complete and officially opened with €5,730,362 in payments to-date. Further details on allocations and payments under LSSIF are available from the Department's website.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

36. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline for the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund; if the review for the previous round is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64585/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

40. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for Sports Capital Grant applications to open in 2026; the preparations required by clubs before the announcement of the next round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64368/25]

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

46. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide an update on when the next round of funding will be made available under the LSSIF and sports capital grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63388/25]

Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

51. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeline of the next round of sports capital grants; the funding expected to be made available in the next round of grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64621/25]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 40, 46 and 51 together.

My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding. Applications for LSSIF funding must be made through either a National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport or a Local Authority.

Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.

In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.

In 2024, the second round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding. On 4 November 2024, grants totalling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. As a result of the significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage.

My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.