Press release
Minister Byrne officially opens Dunboyne LSSIF Project
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
Minister Byrne officially opens Dunboyne LSSIF Project
• Minister Thomas Byrne joins Meath County Council and key stakeholders to open the Academy Centre at St Peter’s GAA, Dunboyne, Co. Meath
• Over half of funding for the project (€2,332,646) allocated by the Department under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF)
• The playing fields consist of three junior playing fields and a full-size adult pitch.
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have welcomed the opening of the Academy Centre at St. Peter’s GAA Dunboyne, in County Meath today (31 May 2024). The overall project cost of €4 million has also seen the development of the Linear Walkway which opened in June 2023.
The works, which were substantially supported under the Department’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, consist of sports playing fields, changing facilities, and a car park with 98 parking spaces, including disabled parking bays. The playing fields consist of three junior playing fields and a full-size adult pitch. A building adjacent to the car park will include changing facilities, a meeting room, an office, and a storage area.
Minister Catherine Martin commented:
“I want to thank all parties involved in bringing this project to fruition. I have no doubt that this facility will be a valued resource within the community and will have a positive influence in promoting health and fitness in the area. I am determined to see continued investment in sports facilities to ensure we achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation”
Speaking at the official opening in Dunboyne, Minister Byrne, said:
“As Sport Minister, I am delighted that my Department was in a position to provide over half of the funding needed for the development of the linear walkway and Academy Centre in Dunboyne. It is really welcome to see these fantastic sporting facilities made available to the local community in Dunboyne and surrounding areas. I want to recognise and thank Meath County Council and the members of St Peter’s GAA for their hard work and dedication in developing these wonderful facilities for the enjoyment of Dunboyne residents and the surrounding areas”.
Editor’s Notes
Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF);
LSSIF 2018:
The National Sports Policy which was published in 2018 provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). €124 million was awarded to 33 different proposals under this first round.
New Round; LSSIF 2024
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, announced funding of up to €120m under the second round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which opened for applications on the 26th of April 2024.
Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30m, will take into account population size, sustainability, and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities. Applications for the 2024 round of LSSIF must be submitted by 1st of July 2024 @ 3pm.