Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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38. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports available to upgrade local sports facilities to ensure full accessibility for children and adults with disabilities in community clubs across Dublin Bay North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64587/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious future for sport in Ireland where equality of access and opportunity is a key theme. Inclusion and diversity is an absolute priority for me in my role as Minister for Sport.

The Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 contains a commitment to increase participation in sport among those with a long-term illness or disability to 40% by 2027. Despite recent progress, there is an enduring participation gradient between persons with either a long-term illness or a disability and those without such illness or disability. Both this Government and Sport Ireland, the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, are committed to making this participation gap in sport a thing of the past.

The Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. One of the objectives of the Fund is to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities and increase female participation in sport.

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.

All CSFF projects must be accessible to people with disabilities and capital projects must conform to the 7 principles of universal design and all gym equipment funded must be accessible to people with disabilities.