TD tells Dáil he wants no repeat of Wicklow’s exclusion from €173m sports funding
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow-Wexford TD has raised the question of sporting facilities in Arklow after County Wicklow did not receive any funding under the latest round of the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
Several Wicklow projects were not among the 35 which benefited from the funding boost of €173 million announced at the end of 2024. Wicklow was among seven counties to receive no funding, despite several projects in neighbouring counties Dublin, Kildare, Wexford and Carlow being approved.
The applications in Wicklow included the Blessington Swimming Pool, the extension to Coral Leisure Centre Wicklow town and the recreation park development at Ballywaltrim in Bray.
Raising the issue in the Dáil recently, Deputy Malcom Byrne indicated he has been assured by Wicklow County Council that under the next round, it will be prioritising the development of sporting facilities in Arklow, including the Coral Leisure indoor sports hall and the facilities around the building.
“What is critical there is the need for a new running track for St. Benedict's athletics club. Arklow is the home of Ronnie Delany, who was Ireland's gold-medal winner over 1,500 m in the Melbourne 1956 Olympics. There are many great runners in the community, but they do not have an adequate athletics track.
“In the next round of the LSSIF, as Wicklow did not get any funding, I would hope that could be prioritised.”
The population of Wicklow could grow by 10pc by 2029, which is when the next round of applications for the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund will be considered.
Deputy Byrne stressed the importance of local clubs and organisations having access to the right facilities.
“It is essential, that where sporting codes are sharing facilities, that will be rewarded. Facilities must have equal access for men and women, for boys and girls, but I would also ask in the next round that particular regard would be had to recognising applications that ensure increased applications by those with a disability or by those who are neurodivergent.
“It is important within all our communities that sport be inclusive.”
Deputy Byrne also highlighted the need to cater for clubs and organisations that do not have traditional access to land or facilities.
“I am particularly thinking about boxing clubs that do not have a home. I think that partnership with schools and that mid-tier of funding between sports capital and LSSIF should be considered.”
One of the projects being supported in north Wexford is the development of the east-coast sporting hub, located north of Gorey town. It is a multisport facility with the first phase to fund space for use by Gorey Cricket Club, Gorey Hockey Club and Croghan Athletics.
The second phase, which will seek funding under the next round of the LSSIF, will provide facilities for Gorey Cycling Club and basketball.
Deputy Byrne believes the project is a “showcase example of a partnership between a local authority and a number of sporting codes to be able to deliver a multisport facility”.
“It is a model that could be replicated elsewhere.” he added.