Brendan Smith
Ceist:207. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will give detailed consideration to a report published by a national organisation (details supplied). [70826/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 10 December 2025
Ceisteanna (207, 214)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:214. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on a report published by a national organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70762/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 214 together.
The report raised by the Deputy concerns the impact of demographic issues on the range of Gaelic games and the need for the sport to adapt to those changes. It sets out a range of proposed internal changes for consideration by the governing bodies for Gaelic games to accommodate the changing demographic picture of the island of Ireland. It also makes proposals for external engagement with stakeholders, including a range of Government departments and with local authorities.
I welcome the report as an example of long-term strategic planning that all sports organisations should engage in. While issues related to how sports are governed and structured are matters for the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) concerned, which are independent, autonomous organisations, I am happy to engage with those NGBs on the report and I meet regularly with them on a wide range of issues.
In terms of funding, the Government has provided significant funding, both capital and current funding, for Gaelic games in recent years.
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) are the primary means of providing Government capital funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The CSSF Fund aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities, and it also assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment and the LSSIF provides support for larger sports facility projects.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, benefitting over forty sports, as well as multi-sport facilities, throughout the country. This represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Over €111 million or over 40% of total funding was allocated to almost 1,000 projects for GAA, Camogie, Ladies Gaelic Football and Handball in the 2023 round. Since 2015, over €241 million has been allocated to 3,379 projects across the various Gaelic games codes.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
The cumulative investment from the LSSIF since the first round in 2020 totals €297 million, supporting 68 projects that encompass a broad demographic range. Of the €297 million total, €59.64 million was directly allocated towards Gaelic games projects nationally. This funding pertains to projects that were directly sponsored by the GAA/LGFA/Camogie.
Current funding is also provided to the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association through Sport Ireland, the national development agency for sport. If the deputy would like further information on that funding, I would refer him to 46208/25, the answer for which sets out the funding breakdown across the Gaelic Games.