Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
161. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures being taken by his Department to establish new sports facilities, or to facilitate the use of existing community facilities such as school sports halls, by local community groups in towns and villages where the availability of such is in short supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4131/26]
View answerMy 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 while applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport or a Local Authority.
The CSFF is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the CSFF and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards and schools are eligible to apply to the CSFF jointly with sports clubs. Such applications must provide evidence of facility-sharing arrangements that will allow sports clubs to use the proposed facilities throughout the year when not in use by the school. There are no plans to change this approach given the existing demands on the CSFF.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken and will be completed shortly. 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.
