Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
601. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has reviewed the unsuccessful applications of the second round of the LSSIF, which commenced in April 2024; if his Department has prepared a LSSIF reserve list; if further opportunities will be provided to fund these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14316/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (the CSFF, formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Fund) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
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, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. The LSSIF was established to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the CSFF.
The 2024 round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to €665 million from 96 applications. As a result of this significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage. In relation to LSSIF applications which have not received an allocation, it should be noted that remaining eligible applications were placed on a reserve list. In the event that funding becomes available in advance of the next scheme projects in line with already developed National Strategies, such as the National Swimming Strategy will be prioritised.
Under the 2024 LSSIF round, grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were announced on 4 November 2024. The cumulative investment allocated under the LSSIF since 2020 now reaches €297 million.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
