Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
536. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department or Sport Ireland has received complaints or representations in the past three years about community access to publicly funded sports facilities in Dublin; if so, the number received; the issues raised; the action that was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is focused on promoting life-long participation in physical activity and sport, for all sectors of society, and communities.
We are committed to a "Sport for All" approach aimed at ensuring that all persons have the opportunity to partake equally in sport and physical activity regardless of age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of, for example, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities.
All Community Sport Facilities Fund grantees must sign a declaration that, from the date of the grant, they will not deny anybody access to any facility or part of a facility for which they received a grant on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief, or membership of the Traveller or Roma community without just, reasonable and proper cause.
As for the facility that is the specific topic of the question, only one representation has been received by my Department regarding access to the facility and that representation was received from the Deputy himself on 4 February 2026.
My understanding is that the facility in question is owned by Bohemians FC, which acquired a long-term leasehold of the facility from Dublin City Council. The use to which public lands are put is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authority and neither I, nor my Department, has any role in that regard.
Access to the facility is a matter for the football club and its governing body, the Football Association of Ireland. All National Government Bodies are independent, autonomous bodies and as such, are responsible for their own governance and operational matters, including the management and operation of facilities. Neither I, nor my Department, has any role in that regard and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene.
