369. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline all programmes available for sporting organisations to engage in North, South and east exchange on this island. [53214/26]

The Government is committed to fostering cross-border cooperation and strengthening ties across the island and with our neighbours in the United Kingdom through sport.

Engagement in North - South and East - West exchanges across a range of sectors is facilitated through a whole of Government approach coordinated by the Shared Island Unit in the Department of An Taoiseach, alongside specific initiatives within my own Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For sporting organisations looking to engage in cross-border and cross-community initiatives, there are several key programmes and funding streams available.

At a grassroots level, the Shared Island Civic Society Fund, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, actively supports cross-border projects across a wide range of sectors, including sport. In addition, sports clubs have successfully applied to the Reconciliation Fund, operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, for support in establishing cross-border exchange, relationship building and joint tournaments.

The Erasmus+ programme in Ireland is administered by Léargas under the administration of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). My Department works closely with DFHERIS and Léargas regarding funding opportunities for sporting organisations under the Erasmus+ programme.

At present, National Governing Bodies (NGBs) based in the State and having staff or operations in Northern Ireland were unable to include those participants in Erasmus+ sport mobility projects. However, the UK’s anticipated return to the Erasmus+ programme in 2027 will resolve this barrier and open significant new avenues for sporting organisations in both Britain and Northern Ireland, allowing them to apply for increased funding when the 2027 calls for proposals opens.

My Department also engages with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities on opportunities for an all-island approach to the development of major sports infrastructure and the hosting of international events. Recent Government commitments from the Shared Island fund to support sport infrastructure include an allocation of up to €50 million, in February 2024, to contribute to the construction of a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast and, last month, an allocation of €3.5 million to support the redevelopment of cricket facilities on the Stormont Estate in Belfast. Redeveloped cricket facilities at this location could play a significant role in Ireland's co-hosting with the UK of the Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup in 2030.

My officials maintain an ongoing dialogue with their counterparts in the Department of Communities in Northern Ireland in order to explore potential collaborations to further develop sport and enhance community exchanges across the island.