Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
609. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the sports capital programme will be open again for applications; to outline any other funding streams available for sports facilities in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3891/26]
View answerFunding for sports facilities in schools is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Youth.
Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards and schools are eligible to apply to my Department's Community Sport Facilities Fund (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 has been undertaken and will be published 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.
