Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
60. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Taoiseach the plans of the Shared Island unit in relation to sport; if further Shared Island dialogues, funding streams or specific cross-Border sporting initiatives are envisaged; and the way in which the unit intends to support greater all-island cooperation and investment in sport infrastructure and participation in the years ahead. [49957/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Shared Island Initiative is taken forward on a whole of Government basis, by all Ministers and their Departments and coordinated by my Department’s Shared Island Unit.
Our Programme for Government affirms that we will promote an all-island approach to hosting major international sporting events, building on the Major International Events policy, including supporting the hosting of the 2027 Ryder Cup, Euro 2028, the T20 Cricket World Cup 2030, the Open Championships and bidding for major competitions.
In February 2024, the Government approved a contribution of up to €50 million from the Shared Island Fund to contribute to construction of a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast, as a landmark sports infrastructure project for the city.
More broadly, sports infrastructure in each jurisdiction is supported by the Government through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund and in Northern Ireland by Executive and UK Government funding streams.
In addition, the Shared Island Civic Society Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade supports grassroots, cross-border projects across a wide range of sectors, including sport.
In February 2025, the Government allocated an additional €6 million for the second phase of the Civic Society Fund, doubling the resources to enable civic groups and community organisations to forge new cross-border partnerships and deepen existing ties.
Sports clubs have also successfully applied to the Reconciliation Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for support for cross-border grassroots engagements and tournaments.
Cross-border sports club partnerships were also among the successful applicants to the Shared Island strand of the Community Climate Action Programme of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, with grants announced in September 2024 to enable communities to take forward cross-border and all-island partnership projects that contribute to meeting climate and energy targets, and those projects are now proceeding.
In addition, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme is supporting the rollout of public EV charge points at community sports clubs across the island of Ireland.
