Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
675. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures being taken to ensure that athletes in counties without dedicated athletics infrastructure, such as County Longford, are not disadvantaged in competitive sport development. [30830/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding while applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport or a Local Authority. In 2024 over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to community sports clubs and facilities from the CSFF while grants totalling €173 million were awarded from the LSSIF. This is a an all-time record investment level in sport in Ireland.
A review of the current funding round has been undertaken and will be finalised shortly. I have asked my Department to prepare for a new round of the CSFF, which I expect to open in the coming months. New guidelines will be published in advance of the next round including inter alia the relevant maximum grants. It is anticipated that the next round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
For further information on sports development programmes and initiatives I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received in that regard within 10 days.
