Shared sporting facilities will create an even playing field for local communities
Shared sporting facilities will create an even playing field for local communities - The Labour Party
Labour Party spokesperson on Children, Disability and Equality Mark Wall TD has today called for the development of shared sporting facilities across local communities.
Deputy Wall said such facilities will help create an even playing field for communities who have little to no infrastructure for sport.
In a response to a parliamentary question made by Deputy Wall, Minister of State Charlie McConalogue stated that there is real merit in the development of such facilities.
In 2024, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media provided over a quarter of a billion euro to community sports clubs and facilities from the Community Sports Facilities Fund and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.
However, responsibility for developing these shared sporting facilities lies with the local authorities.
Deputy Wall TD:
“I welcome comments made by Minister McConalogue in which he accepts that having shared sporting facilities in our local communities would be beneficial. I believe that these types of facilities will create an even playing field across local communities which have been left behind in terms of sports infrastructure.
“We have many communities that have experienced large population increases, yet the infrastructure isn’t there to support the local area. We also have many disadvantaged and rural areas that have little to no facilities and I believe that there is real merit in developing shared sporting facilities across the country.
“Sporting bodies and local authorities need to be proactive in the development of community infrastructure and I encourage them to work together and identify potential sites that would be suitable as shared-sporting facilities.”
ENDS
Question: 1125. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he is considering funding local authorities to provide playing pitches and facilities given the increasing demand for playing pitches throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20622/25]
Written answer
Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Sport and physical activity are hugely important to our collective wellbeing and health, so it is in our national interest to promote increased participation in sport and activity at all levels, locally and nationally.
Availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities’ needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current Sports Action Plan.
However, the use to which lands are put is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authority and my Department does not fund the acquisition of land for sport. However, where land is in use for sport, my Department operates two relevant capital funding programmes, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). 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.
Given the challenges of increased demand and a growing population, I consider that there is real merit in the development of municipally-backed shared facilities and I encourage sports’ National Governing Bodies and local authorities to collaborate in this regard.