Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
34. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to improve the condition of existing playing pitches, courts and sports facilities in community use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52250/25]
View answerThe 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 assists the purchase of non- personal sports equipment.
Among the Fund's objectives is to assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation.
Over €277 million 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. This included funding to improve the condition of existing playing pitches, courts and sports facilities in community use.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
