939. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19359/26]

The Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established to provide support for larger sports facility projects and the cumulative investment since 2020 is €297 million across 68 projects.

While the LSSIF is closed to applications at present, my current focus 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, but I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide.

The LSSIF focuses on larger initiatives, particularly those related to high-performance sport, major spectator venues, and community-accessible facilities. The key aims of the LSSIF are to increase active participation in sport and the quality of that participation; increase the quantum and quality of social participation in sport; improve high performance in sport; increase active participation by those with a disability and provide similar access to facilities to all.

LSSIF is aimed primarily at National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and local authorities. Other bodies can also benefit, but applications have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a NGB. The full marking scheme, guidelines and assessment process for LSSIF 2018 and 2024 are published on my Department’s website. I would encourage any prospective applicants to review these documents in preparation for a future LSSIF round, while noting that guidelines and conditions for a future round may differ from those previously published.