Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
591. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of what is required to secure successful funding under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6143/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra592. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund is due to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6144/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together.
My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The LSSIF was established under the National Sports Policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the CSFF. The scheme is aimed primarily at National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and local authorities; it is also open to other bodies, but such applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a NGB. The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 is now €297 million across 68 projects.
In previous rounds of LSSIF, all project applications were subject to the Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines published on the Department’s website. The full marking scheme and assessment process for LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024 is published on the Department’s website. Both the evaluation guidelines and scoring matrix can be located at: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/].
I would encourage any prospective applicants to review the LSSIF scheme guidelines and key priorities as part of their pre paratory process for a future LSSIF round. It is important to note that while these resources can serve as a helpful reference, any new guidelines and conditions associated with a future round of the Fund may differ from those previously published.
The LSSIF is closed to applications and my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
