Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
85. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way in which grassroots clubs that do not own their own land or are in a long-term lease can access sports capital grants to become established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44463/26]
View answerMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport 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 Sport (NGB) or a Local Authority.
Capital grant limits under the CSFF are based on the security of tenure held by the applicant. Under the most recent 2024 CSFF round, funding of up to €200,000 was available to organisations that either owned the relevant land or held a lease registered with Tailte Éireann with at least 15 years remaining. For organisations without a registered chargeable title, capital funding was restricted to a maximum of €70,000.
The CSFF provides that, if the land owner is entitled to apply for CSFF funding in its own right then the landlord must make the application on behalf of the sports user.
The Department is currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations which provides valuable input to our ongoing preparations for the next round of the CSFF. New guidelines will be published in advance of the opening of the next round which will include inter alia, land ownership and lease requirements.
The availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. This is a key factor in our ongoing review of the guidelines for a new CSFF round. Planning for future facilities’ needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current Sports Action Plan.
