73. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the total funding allocated to the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, to date; to provide a breakdown of funding awarded to each individual project, the amounts that have been drawn down or are in the process of being drawn down; the details of projects that have yet to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44338/26]

Sentiment score: 0.14

I ask the Minister for an update on the LSSIF, including detail about each project. Maybe the Minister of State can give me that afterwards. I do not expect him to list them all. I also ask for the amount that has been drawn down and the amount that has yet to be drawn down.

Sentiment score: 0.00

It will not come as a surprise to the Minister of State that I have asked this question before at committee meetings. To be fair, he knows my form on this. I do not begrudge anybody getting money they have applied for, or any of the sports bodies that have applied on behalf of clubs, mainly national clubs but what irks me is that, as he said, nine projects from 2018 have still not commenced. We just need to take the bull by the horns at some stage and have a realistic conversation with some of those organisations to say that, if they are not drawing down the money, it is going to be reallocated for another worthy project. I say this not out of a desire to take the money from any applicant. The reality is that some organisations have been sitting on the money for the best part of eight years, as the Minister of State said. I understand the difficulties and the amount they have to raise. It is onerous to draw down from the fund but, at the same time, we need the moneys drawn down. I am a massive supporter of the good the funding does. I would like to see allocations become more frequent but it is hard to argue for that when a fairly high proportion of clubs have still not commenced projects or drawn down the money.

Sentiment score: 0.07

The Minister of State says this will not be on the never-never but the reality, as he said, is that nine projects have not commenced since 2018. There are more that have been allocated funding in a subsequent round. Deadlines need to be imposed. It gives me no satisfaction to say here that this is State money and that if State money were allocated for projects in any other field, we would be asking about it. We want accountability and transparency. We want projects delivered, let us be truthful. If the initial projects envisaged, or scaled-back versions, if required, could be completed, it should be explored. If those concerned are having difficulties with fundraising or whatever, it is a matter of helping them to bridge the gaps. Ultimately, however, we need projects completed. There are sports clubs the length and breadth of the country crying out for substantial money like what has been allocated under the fund. The money for a certain project in Cork, which I will not mention here but with which the Minister is familiar, has been sitting there for six years, undrawn. Other potential suitors were interested in availing of it. A particular organisation has sat on it and withheld it from going towards a very positive project. The gun needs to be put to some of these organisations’ heads and they need to get on with the works.

Sentiment score: 0.11