Written Answers Nos. 122-128
122. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department will confirm if his engagements with media commissioners in Coimisiún na Meán were minuted; and if he will publish any existing minutes relating to this engagement in the wake of the April fuel protests. [40697/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he made further contact with Coimisiún na Meán to seek investigations relating to the April fuel protests (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40698/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department was involved in the decision to label the note of his engagement with Coimisiún na Meán as ‘confidential’; and if so, if he will comment on the justification of the decision. [40699/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will release the answers he received from his query (details supplied) on the possibility of investigations on reporting surrounding April's fuel protests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40700/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 123, 124 and 125 together.
I propose taking questions 40697, 40698, 40699 and 40700 together.
As has been reported, I engaged with Coimisiún na Meán in relation to media coverage of the fuel protests last month, and in particular to seek clarity on any mechanisms under the legislation that may be available to me as Minister to seek an examination of the broadcast coverage.
Details regarding my initial engagement with An Coimisiún on this matter have been released and there are no other records or minutes of same, and I can confirm that my Department had no role in compiling the note of the engagement by An Coimisiún or the labelling of it as confidential.
Following the initial contact, a meeting was arranged between myself, officials and representatives of An Coimisiún, which took place on Tuesday 14 April. The meeting was arranged to provide clarity on the legislative and regulatory framework for ensuring fairness, objectivity and impartiality in news and current affairs and for dealing with complaints arising.
The Commissioners briefed me on the relevant Media Codes, including in relation to fairness, objectivity and impartiality, and noted that the public may make complaints regarding breaches of Codes (first to the broadcaster and then to Coimisiún na Meán), and that Coimisiún na Meán also undertakes compliance monitoring.
A minute of this meeting was prepared and I am happy to provide a copy of same.
126. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of clubs and organisations in Mayo that have yet to draw down on sports capital and equipment grants; to provide a list of the awardees and the total allocation for each sporting organisation in NGB in Mayo; the individual allocation for each club or group which has yet to draw down awarded funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40729/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested encompasses multiple rounds of the Community Sport Facilities Fund and is presently being collated by my Department. A report will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
127. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide the total number of successful applicants to the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund; the applicant name; project details; status of the project; and the spend to date on each project from the 2024 fund, in tabular form. [40769/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund.
Details of grants awarded under the LSSIF are available on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/service/6f3f3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif-2024/#lssif-allocations.
In 2024, the second round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding. Grants totalling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. Details of the projects and their current status are detailed in the table below.
|
Project Title |
County |
Updated Project Description |
Status |
|
Water Activity Centre (Carlow) |
Carlow |
To develop a water hub activity centre which contains boat storage & amenities for rowing, dragon boat & youth service as well as changing facilities, training & fitness room, parking, public seating/terrace, pedestrian boardwalk linking to the town park |
Tender Stage |
|
Cavan Regional Sports Campus |
Cavan |
To development of Phase 1 of the Cavan Regional Sports Campus – Progress. Phase 1 includes a covered sports arena with playing pitch, spectator seating, and other ancillary accommodations. It includes a leisure sports centre building, which includes changing facilities, multi-purpose rooms, reception and ancillary accommodation. It includes 4 sand-carpet GAA pitches with perimeter fencing & lighting, 1 synthetic hockey/multi-sport pitch with perimeter fencing & lighting, a cricket practice area and catch-nets. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Clare GAA, Centre of Excellence (Caherlohan) |
Clare |
To complete the development at Caherlohan by developing two new playing pitches, adding floodlights at two existing pitches, constructing an equipment store, improve site access and car parking, install a covered stand at one pitch and develop a new wall ball facility suitable for multi sports as well as a sensory garden and public allotment area. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Athletics Track - Mallow Carhookeal |
Cork |
To develop an athletic running track to IAAF standards to include a car park, floodlighting, and street lightning. |
Preparing documentation for Approval Gate 1 |
|
Cork NW Sports Hub (Castleview AFC) |
Cork |
To develop an all-weather facility. |
Tender Stage |
|
ATU Letterkenny Regional Sports Activity Hub (Phase 2) |
Donegal |
To develop Phase 2, which includes a full-size GAA (multi-sport) pitch with perimeter fencing and floodlighting, four synthetic 5 a side pitches with floodlighting, an entrance road, car park as well as a pavilion building, which includes a spectator stand, changing rooms, studios, meeting and multipurpose spaces, and ancillary areas. Phase 2 also includes a site compound building including substation, a switch room, oil tank and generator, a sprint track, landscaping , retaining walls, ramps and external stairs and a bicycle shelter |
Tender Stage |
|
Morton Stadium |
Dublin |
To develop Phase 1, which includes the demolition of the east stand and the construction of a new single-storey indoor athletes training facility. The new training facility will incorporate a full indoor 8 lane 100-metre track, high jump area, high-performance gymnasium, reception, medical and physiotherapy treatment spaces, changing village, public toilets, and storage. |
Rescoping |
|
Tallaght Stadium |
Dublin |
To upgrade to LED floodlighting. |
Tender Stage |
|
Hyde Park, Dalkey |
Dublin |
To develop an indoor sports hall, wall ball, gym, fitness studio, video analysis room, training room, changing rooms, an office, physio room, storage space, lobby, toilets, services. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Spawell Cluster Facility |
Dublin |
To develop Phase 1, which will deliver two full pitches and a temporary dressing-room area for community use as well as floodlighting and site works. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Marlay Sports Hub |
Dublin |
The proposed development of a Sports Hub in the park to cluster the different sports facilities together. |
Rescoping |
|
Dalymount Park Redevelopment |
Dublin |
To redevelop Dalymount Park |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Kinvara Hockey Club |
Galway |
To develop Phase 1, which includes a full-size FIH-certified 2G sand-dressed hockey pitch with an engineered base and full drainage, competition-standard floodlighting, perimeter fencing and ball-stop netting, boundary treatments with water and roadway access, bus and car parking, along with goals, dugouts, pitch-equipment storage and bleachers. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
St Jarlath’s, Tuam |
Galway |
To develop a full-size 4G floodlit all-weather synthetic pitch and to redevelop the existing grass training pitches into a full-size grass playing pitch and a sports pavilion. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Killarney RFC |
Kerry |
To a clubhouse, which includes changing rooms, 25 individual shower units, referees changing room/Shower Unit, accessible toilet with room for shower a multipurpose meeting room, first aid room, gym and equipment room. |
Tender Stage |
|
Derreen Community Complex, Killarney |
Kerry |
In phase 3 and 4 of a new development on a brown field site. Proposed multi-sports facility – Indoor Sports Hall, Sprung Floor Dojo/Studio, Gym, Social Hub and Café, Multipurpose Meeting room. |
Awaiting direction from Grantee |
|
Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney |
Kerry |
To construct a new West Terrace and improve the Northern Terrace, Eastern Terrace and the O'Sullivan stand along with ancillary works. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Sallins Park Community Sports Centre ( Kildare co co ) |
Kildare |
To develop Phase 1, which includes 1 synthetic pitch, 2 sand pitches, 2 grass training pitches, access road and paths a car park and the installation of services. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Golf Ireland HP Centre |
Kildare |
The proposed development of high-performance centre for national squads. |
Tender Stage |
|
Naas Cross-Community Development Project (Naas GAA) |
Kildare |
To develop an all-weather pitch, a sand-based pitch and a gym. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Shannonside Regional Recreation Centre |
Leitrim |
To develop a 4G pitch with floodlights, 8-lane athletics running track, an athletics track spectator terrace including storage, an upper pitch terrace including storage and toilet block and site works and landscaping |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Patrickswell GAA |
Limerick |
To develop a natural turf full-sized playing pitch, a natural turf training area, a new walkway/running track around the perimeter of the main pitch, and a training area, 8 floodlighting columns to the main pitch, ball stop nets to northern and southern goal ends of the main pitch, biodiversity planting around the walkway/running track. |
Construction Phase |
|
City North Arena |
Limerick |
To develop an indoor arena |
Awaiting direction from Grantee |
|
St. Oliver’s ETB |
Louth |
To develop a combination of single-story and two-story structure with a general-purpose sports hall central to the development, which will be equipped to host various sporting events and activities |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Mayo Sports Campus |
Mayo |
To develop of a state-of-art Community Sports Campus |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Seafield Community Facility |
Meath |
To develop a vibrant, multi-functional space catering to the needs of existing clubs and future users |
Awaiting direction from Grantee |
|
Trim Arena |
Meath |
To develop a single and two storey indoor athletics training building, supported by ancillary outdoor facilities. The indoor building includes a 60m indoor sprint track, long jump and high jump areas, strength & conditioning and technical training space, storage, meeting room, toilets, and supporting amenities |
Preparing documentation for Approval Gate 1 |
|
St. Colmcille’s |
Meath |
To develop 2 full-size grass pitches groundworks, fencing, netting. |
Tender Stage |
|
Killeevan Sarsfields |
Monaghan |
To develop a new playing field, access road, car park and civil works. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Edenderry Pool |
Offaly |
To develop a new competition standard swimming pool facility and fitness centre. It will feature a FINA Standard 6-lane, 25m short course swimming pool complete with approved diving blocks, a viewing area, a children's pool, and a hydrotherapy recovery area with hot and cold baths. Additionally, there will be a relaxation zone equipped with a sauna and steam room, as well as an ultra-modern strength & conditioning gym. |
At Approval Gate 1 for Design |
|
Roscommon GAA - Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence |
Roscommon |
To develop a Centre of Excellence on a green field site of 23.3 acres. . |
Waiting on decision in relation to IIP Funding |
|
Sligo Rovers FC Showgrounds |
Sligo |
To redevelop Sligo Rovers Stadium. |
Waiting on decision in relation to IIP Funding |
|
East Coast Hub, Gorey |
Wexford |
To develop a national-standard astro-turf hockey pitch, a full 400m tartan running track, a full-sized cricket pitch, temporary changing facilities, new site access, and all associated ancillary and enabling works. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Wexford GAA, Centre of Excellence (Ferns) |
Wexford |
To develop Phase 3 which consists of a new building incorporating six additional dressing rooms, meeting rooms, a gym, performance analysis room, medical/physio room, office space, a spectator viewing area for the main pitch, and the development of a new 4G pitch. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
|
Wexford FC |
Wexford |
To develop Phase 1, which will deliver a 1,500-seater stand integrated with a 10,000 sq. ft pavilion, along with a natural grass pitch and LED floodlighting. |
At Approval Gate 1 |
128. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans to allow micro-companies to apply for the vacant above-the-shop grant scheme; the timeline for the potential inclusion of micro-companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40362/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to my reply to Dáil Question No. 112 of 19 May of which sets out the position in this matter.
