Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) 2024

Ms. Catherine Martin, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have announced funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) 2024.

Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) 2024 is a government initiative aimed at providing Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects that require more funding than what is available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). The fund aims to support projects that focus on increasing active participation in sport as well as large-scale venues/stadia that promote social participation and high-performance sport. It is envisaged that at least €120 million will be available for allocation.  Proposed projects should require grant funding of at least €600,000 with a maximum grant of €30 million available per project.

The applicant will be required to contribute a minimum of 30% of the total project costs.  The level of own funding provided by the applicant of a project will be taken into account in assessing proposals with more favourable consideration to be given to applicants showing a higher percentage of own funding. It is important to note that priority will be given to shovel ready projects i.e. where planning permission has been granted and the application shows the project can be delivered in a reasonable time period.

The scheme will have a particular focus on National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Authorities.  While the scheme is aimed primarily at the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities, it is also open to other bodies, philanthropic funders, clubs and voluntary organisations to apply but such applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a Local Authority and/or a National Governing Body of Sport.  Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30 million, will take into account population size, sustainability, reducing administrative overheads and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities.

It is a requirement of the scheme that all applications must be submitted to the Department by either a Local Authority or a National Governing Body of Sport. Joint applications involving more than one organisation are encouraged. These can consist, for example, of joint ventures between a number of National Governing Bodies of Sport, a number of Local Authorities and/ or a mixture of both Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport. Such applications can also make provision for the use of facilities by clubs, schools, Education and Training Boards and other community groups. Applications for facilities that are being developed for professional sports must show evidence that the infrastructure shall not be used exclusively by a single professional sport user and ensure similar access to all.

For information on how to apply visit: https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/sports-recreation/grants/

For more information visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/6f3f3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif-2024/

Page last reviewed: 22/05/24

Content managed by: Sports and Recreation

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