The Government has this afternoon published its review of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), and announced a new policy requirement on implementing similar access for men and women to sports facilities funded under the LSSIF.

The review document runs to 24 pages and that is only part of a detailed documentation around the fun which has so far awarded €123 million in funding, €166 million towards construction of 26 projects across the country and €7 million towards the design stage of seven projects including the National Watersports Campus in Dun Laoghaire and Dalymount Park in Dublin

In view of the slower than anticipated project completion rates, due mainly to Covid 19 and construction inflation, a review of all LSSIF projects was undertaken.

The review outlines the issues faced by LSSIF projects to date, and provides recommendations in relation to a new round of LSSIF.

The five recommendations range from guiding principles in respect of maximising the use of Large-Scale Sports Facilities, naming rights of stadiums, and the level of grant aid received by projects.

We will publish a more detailed analysis of these recommendations tomorrow morning.

The new Similar Access Requirement now means that recipients of LSSIF funding must accommodate the needs of women and men, on a similar basis, with respect to accessing the facilities that have been allocated public funding.

Any organisation that is in receipt of LSSIF funding must have a similar access policy in place, and must work towards publishing it as soon as possible.

“This review is timely as it provides an overview of the progress made in respect of LSSIF projects that were already allocated grants, and incorporates inputs from meetings with all LSSIF grantees,” said Minister Catherine Martin.

“The recommendations in this review will be taken into account ahead of the new round of LSSIF, launching shortly.”

“For women and girls, the sporting environment can sometimes be unwelcoming and excluding, leading to a lack of participation and engagement. I hope the new LSSIF requirement, the Similar Access Requirement, further improves access for all women and girls using publicly-funding sporting facilities.”

“Minister Byrne and I have already confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the coming weeks, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website shortly. I would encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process when it opens.”

“It is very important that anybody considering applying for LSSIF funding is aware of the new Similar Access Requirement that I am proud to introduce,” added Minister of State Thomas Byrne.

“Under the Similar Access Requirement, women and men must have similar access to LSSIF funded facilities and recipients of LSSIF funding must also have a published policy showing how that is the case in practice. By implementing the Similar Access Requirement, we can better ensure equal opportunities to participate in sport.”

“Deliverability is a key focus of the LSSIF and I am eager for projects to be completed sooner than have been to date. The LSSIF Review makes a number of recommendations which will be considered as part of the new call for LSSIF applications.”

 

 

Sport for Business Perspective:

 

These are the marquee projects, prioritised by each national Governing Body and each Local Authority, that will define the sporting landscape for generations to come.

The big money going to the RDS, to the Sportsgrounds, to Pairc Tailteann and to others will change the way that the population engages with sport, initially in the main from a spectator viewpoint but in turn, inspired.

There are many other among the projects that are geared towards providing the right quality of facility to engage in a wider variety of sports.

The extension of the principle that every project needs to be equally accessible is simple in its execution but needed to be stated for the avoidance of any doubt.

 

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and most of the recipients of the LSSIF are full members of the Sport for Business community.
The Sport for Business Membership is made up of nearly 300 organisations including all of the leading sports and sponsors, commercial and state agencies. Find out more about joining them today.

Be part of the biggest community of sporting and business organisations in Ireland by becoming a member of Sport for Business and enjoying a host of benefits.


 

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