I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels. The Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport: the community sport facilities fund, CSFF, and the large scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. The first allocations under the LSSIF opened in 2018 and were announced in 2020, with €86.5 million awarded to 33 projects. Additional funding of €37.5 million was allocated to 27 of these projects in December 2023, bringing the total awarded under that LSSIF round to €124 million. Under the 2018 round, announced in 2020, €2,025,000 was provisionally allocated to the Munster centre of excellence in Glanmire. The proposal involved the development of grass pitches, an Astroturf facility, flood-lighting and dressing rooms. The Football Association of Ireland wrote to my Department in 2023 stating that it no longer intended to proceed with the LSSIF-funded centre of excellence in Glanmire. According to the FAI, the decision not to proceed with the proposal was due to the fact that the original proposal no longer represented the greatest return on investment for the parties involved. Since then, there have been regular updates from the FAI to my Department including, most recently, an update on the progression of a revised proposal, which will involve University College Cork. In May, the FAI forwarded a draft business case for the revised proposal for a centre of excellence and my Department reverted to the FAI with observations on 21 June. It is anticipated that the final business case will be submitted shortly to my Department. In relation to the site in Glanmire, my Department has been informed that the property has now been leased to Riverstown Football Club by Cork County Council. I also understand that Riverstown Football Club is working with Cork County Council to develop a multisport facility at the site. Of the total €297 million allocated under LSSIF to date, €96 million was awarded to soccer projects that are either directly sponsored by the FAI or incorporate soccer elements. Six projects under the first round of the LSSIF were allocated just under €12 million. Under the 2024 LSSIF funding announcement, €84 million was awarded to a further six soccer projects. This includes projects such as Dalymount Park and the Sligo Rovers stadium development. My current focus and that of the Department is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The community sports facilities fund will also open over the course of the month. The previous round funded over 3,000 projects. Since 2000, €134 million has been allocated to 259 projects in County Cork under the community sports facilities fund. The most recent round saw €30 million allocated to 347 sporting projects in Cork. We will now be opening a new round over the course of the summer. I share the Deputy's desire to ensure this site is put to sporting use very promptly. The information my Department has is that Riverstown FC has a lease with Cork County Council. The club is working with the county council to develop a multisport facility at the site. The FAI is working with University College Cork to put a facility in place with the university as opposed to making a written proposal. I want to see that come to fruition. There is very intensive engagement between them and my Department. We will be insisting that the project is moved on if the funding for it is to be retained. The issue of this site has been raised by Deputy Burke and by Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan previously. I am very happy to work with them to see this particular site at Glanmire made available to the local community for sporting use.

Sentiment score: 0.19

The objective of the Department of sport is to fund projects to deliver sporting outcomes and increase participation. In my previous response, I outlined the number of projects that have been funded across County Cork. Under the most recent round of the community sports facilities fund, the figure was 347. There have been just over 2,000 over the past 20 years or more. I will certainly seek clarity on the situation regarding this land. The information I have is that Cork County Council has leased the land to Riverstown Football Club. I will seek further clarity on that. The use of the land is obviously primarily a matter for Cork County Council to decide upon. From our engagement with the FAI, I am clear that the funding that was initially allocated in 2020 is not to be used on this particular site. It is going to be utilised on a different site in conjunction with University College Cork. We are going to facilitate that as long as it happens. We are intensively engaged with the FAI to make sure that funding delivers new football facilities that can be of benefit to people who want to participate in and enjoy football in Cork. We want to see that happen. I absolutely agree that this site should be used for sporting activity. The information I have is that it is being leased to Riverstown FC, which is working with Cork County Council to develop a multisport facility. I will certainly be following up to clarify the points the Deputy has raised here this evening. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan has also raised the issue. Everyone within the local area wants to see this land utilised for sporting activity. As Minister of State with responsibility for sport, it is also something I want to see. I will certainly work with the Deputy to do anything we can to see this moved on.

Sentiment score: 0.21