Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

484. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport the current and planned funding streams to ensure that all sports grounds, clubs, and gyms have access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs); and if he will consider establishing a dedicated national fund to support the purchase, maintenance, and replacement of AEDs in sports facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65982/25]

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

The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The Fund aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities, and it also assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.

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 benefitting over forty sports, as well as multi-sport facilities, throughout the country. This represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.

CSFF provides funding for non-personal sports equipment up to a value of €40,000 and this includes defibrillators. Equipment grants of over €70,000 are awarded in exceptional circumstances (such as to National Governing Bodies of Sport).

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.