Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
479. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the supports available to community sports clubs in County Laois seeking funding for facility upgrades, including floodlighting, dressing rooms and all-weather pitches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33393/26]
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.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated in 2024 to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
My Department collates allocation data at county level and, under the 2023 round, over €7 million was allocated to 71 sporting projects in Laois. Since 2017, over €13.5 million has been allocated to 246 sporting projects in Laois.
Details of all CSFF allocations are available on the Department's website at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programme-allocations/.
In line with previous rounds of the CSFF, a review of the current funding round has been undertaken and will be finalised shortly. I have asked my Department to prepare for a 2026 round which I hope to open in the first half of this year. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
