Written answers
Tuesday, 26 May 2026
Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
Sports Facilities
Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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649. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a once-off stand-alone grant to a sports facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39283/26]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport 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 under the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. The facility referred to by the Deputy was allocated €61,049 in the 2023 round and was allocated a total of €153,482 over the last 3 rounds.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round has been undertaken and will be finalised shortly. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026 which I expect to open soon. It is anticipated that the next round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years. As this organisation is registered with the Department, it will be automatically notified when the next round of the CSFF is opened.
My current focus in relation to LSSIF is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the scheme. No decisions have been taken regarding the next round of LSSIF.
My officials met earlier this year with Kerry County Council and Kerry Education and Training Board in relation to this facility and to advise them on future funding rounds that could be appropriate to the facility.
Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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650. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the relevant projects under the Sport Ireland campus masterplan vision, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39434/26]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Sport Ireland Campus Masterplan provides an ambitious blueprint setting out a vision and framework for the growth of the Sport Ireland Campus and the long-term development of associated sporting facilities over the next 15 to 20 years. Government approved the Campus Masterplan in November 2022 and reaffirmed its commitment to the phased delivery of the National Sports Campus. The Masterplan provides a framework for the further development of the Campus over the next 15 to 20 years and identifies the next key high-level projects for development.
Significant progress has been made in recent years on the first two large-scale projects being delivered under the Masterplan, namely the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre and the National Cricket Centre. I am delighted to inform the Deputy that both of these major projects are now at the construction stage at the Sport Ireland Campus.
Details of these and other projects currently being planned or progressed are set out in the table below.
| Project | Description | Update |
|---|---|---|
| National Velodrome and Badminton Centre | The project will deliver a 250-metre cycling track, the standard required length for hosting major international events. It will also deliver up to 12 badminton courts in the in-track area, seating for 1,000 spectators and ancillary facilities. | On 3 September 2025, Government approved funding of and the appointment of Walls Construction as principal contractor for the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre (NVBC). Construction commenced on the project in February of this year and it is anticipated that the NVBC will be completed and in operational use by Q2 2028. |
| National Cricket Centre | The project will deliver a high-performance centre comprising an outdoor practice and training area, an indoor training and practice area, an arena for holding major games with associated media and spectator facilities, and a range of other facilities, including a second playing area for training and second tier matches, and headquarter offices for Cricket Ireland. The project will be delivered in two phases. Phase 1 will deliver the main field of play, 4,240 spectator seats, a high-performance centre and a player and match officials' building. This first is being managed in two distinct construction contracts to ensure that the playing surface will be adequately prepared in time for the 2030 T20 World Cup tournament, which Ireland will co-host. | Contract 1 will deliver the main cricket oval, seating bowl and concourse, two toilet blocks, an energy centre, a maintenance building, and all associated civil and infrastructure works. Following the completion of the procurement process, the contract has been awarded to John Sisk & Son Limited, who are now onsite and making preparations for construction, which will be commencing in the coming weeks. The procurement and business case processes for Contract 2, , which will deliver the remaining requirements of Phase 1, will take place later this year and it is anticipated that the facility will be completed and operational by Q3 2029. |
| Sports Ireland Institute | The development of the Sport Ireland Institute (SII) building has a twofold project objective. It looks to address both the deficiencies in the existing building and the inadequate capacity to meet increased demand for the services of SII. A large extension is to be provided which increases the overall building footprint, size of the gym, performance areas of the building and the services that can be provided in the IIS. Several internal reconfigurations are also proposed which address adjacency and layout deficiencies such that the end user experience of the building is vastly improved. | Sport Ireland is currently preparing an application for planning permission. |
| Abbotstown House and Gardens | It is proposed that the 200-year-old Abbotstown House be developed as a meeting, conference and cultural centre to support national and international teams that are training on the Campus. The building is a protected structure and along with its walled garden and attendant grounds provide a unique opportunity to develop a high-quality facility that retains its rich heritage while delivering modern athlete, conference and business facilities. There is also a significant positive community dividend to its restoration and use. | Preliminary works are being carried out on Abbotstown House in 2026 on the roof, windows and doors to improve the facade and ensure protection from the weather. Main development works are being planned for a later date |
| National Hockey Centre | This facility will be the first permanent home to Hockey Ireland providing a state-of-the art international standard facility with a spectator capacity of 3000 (1,250 fixed), whilst incorporating all relevant accommodation in order to host and televise pro-league and international competition. This will provide Hockey Ireland with an essential platform to continue to grow the sport and excel in international competition. | This project is being planned for a later date. |
| Multi-purpose Sport Facility | The Multi-purpose Sports Facility is to be located on vacant land adjacent to the National Indoor Arena, GAA and the soon to be constructed National Velodrome and Badminton Centre. This facility is to be a bespoke and innovative design to accommodate a number of smaller NGBs, similar to multi-purpose developments that have been popular around Europe. | This project is being planned for a later date. |
| Short Stay Athlete Accommodation | This project is a key feature in the long-term development of the campus and involves the development of short-stay beds, long-stay beds and associated athlete spaces and conferencing. The accommodation will be located in the village core and will enable an active and vibrant village at the centre of the Campus as envisioned by the Masterplan vision. | This project is being planned for a later date. |
| Campus Offices | This project involves the development of further office accommodation for Sport Ireland, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and the national governing bodies within the Campus. | This project is being planned for a later date. |
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