Minister Hackett welcomes additional funding for Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool

Minister Pippa Hackett has welcomed funding announced for Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF.)

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne today (Wednesday) announced “Top Up” grant allocations to existing projects under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

Minister Hackett said: “Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool will receive an additional €163,000 top up under the Large Scale sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The Leisure centre was previously awarded €300,000, but this top up means that additional costs arising from inflation and delays over the pandemic will be covered.

I’m delighted that this funding is going to Portarlington Leisure Centre. It is a fantastic facility which services communities in Laois, Offaly and beyond. Access to local facilities is so important for both physical and mental wellbeing and this government has ambitious targets to get as many people participating in sport as possible. Funding of this nature ensures the continuance of this vital amenity for the community.”

The additional funding for projects is being provided, in response to delays experienced by grantees arising from the pandemic and construction inflation, following engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Commenting on the announcement Minister Catherine Martin said: “I am delighted to make two announcements today, along with Minister of State Thomas Byrne, in relation to the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. First, that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course. Second, the additional funding of €37.6 million towards LSSIF funded projects. It is vitally important that we have sporting facilities like these so that people of all ages and abilities can benefit from their use.

"From the Government’s perspective, if we are to achieve our ambitious targets and get as many people participating in sport as possible we need the necessary facilities. Similarly, if we are to develop our elite sportspeople we need to invest at grassroots level. I am pleased that the Government is in a position to provide further assistance in the development of these facilities in light of the challenges they have faced since funding was confirmed just before the pandemic. I know that the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund will deliver a number of exciting facilities in the coming months and years ahead.”

Minister Thomas Byrne added: “I am determined to see continued investment in sports facilities across the country in order to ensure we achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation. In recent months, I was delighted to see a number of LSSIF projects open to the public, including the Linear Walkway Project in Meath, Phase 1 of Walsh Park in Waterford, and the Regional Athletics Hub in Limerick. By investing in sport facilities across the country, we can best nurture our future sporting talents and reap the benefits of sport and physical activity when it comes to our health and wellbeing, and that is why I am delighted to confirm this additional investment of €37.6 million towards LSSIF funded projects. I look forward to a new round of the LSSIF opening for applications in the first half of 2024 which will provide further opportunities for positive investment in our sporting facilities.”

The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 with €86.4 million subsequently awarded to 33 different projects. This additional funding amounts to a total of €37.6 million with 27 individual projects benefitting, bringing the total awarded to date to Large Scale Sport Infrastructure funded projects to €124 million.

The Ministers also confirmed today that a new round of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website, in due course.

For the first time, it will be a requirement for all successful applicants to publish their Similar Access Policies, in respect of men and women having access to the facilities on similar terms, in order to be eligible for a “top-up” allocation drawdown.