Funding for Outdoor Sports Equipment and Biodiversity Measures for Sports Clubs
Dep. Marc Ó Cathasaigh: This question builds on my question in the previous grouping. It relates to two new streams of funding that are being made available for sports clubs. The first is the new fund for outdoor sports equipment, called the participation nation outdoor fund, which is very welcome. Given my political background, I am especially interested in the Amuigh Faoin Spéir biodiversity measures now being funded at sports clubs. That initiative is really welcome as there is huge pent-up demand. A lot of people from different clubs come to me saying they want to do the right thing by climate and biodiversity but they are not sure how to go about it. This fund is a great support.
Deputy Catherine Martin
I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister of State, who has to leave for another commitment.
On Friday, 3 May 2024, the participation nation outdoor fund was launched for the purchase and installation of barrier-free permanent sport equipment that can be placed on public land for community use. A portion of that fund, under the heading amuigh faoin spéir, is earmarked for biodiversity measures at sports facilities. I announced details of this funding last Thursday, 23 May. The fund will be overseen by my Department and administered by Sport Ireland, with applications open to the network of 29 LSPs. Engaging in physical exercise and connecting to nature are recognised as two key well-being measures. The fund encourages the partnerships to work with their local sports sector to develop initiatives that are of wide benefit and accessible to the community.
In line with the programme for Government target of reaching 60% overall participation in sport by 2027, the outdoor sports equipment stream is designed to spur physical activity in local community settings by supporting LSPs with the development of sport projects on publicly accessible land. A minimum of €70,000 will be available to each LSP for the purposes of installing barrier-free sports infrastructure on publicly accessible land. Indicative examples of eligible projects include table tennis tables, storage containers for a range of sports, 3×3 basketball courts, permanent nets for volleyball and golf putting greens.
The amuigh faoin spéir element of the fund will provide up to €25,000 to LSPs to support nature-connected projects at sports facilities that are open to community use. This was inspired by a club in my constituency, Naomh Ólaf GAA Club, which is an inspiration when it comes to leadership on biodiversity. The phrase “amuigh faoin spéir” comes from the club’s own biodiversity charter, which has been in use for many years. The aim of the biodiversity measures is to promote the enhancement and protection of nature, with a specific focus on supporting the biodiversity of the surrounding environments on such land. Examples of possible projects include biodiversity pollinator-friendly planting, safe nesting sites for birds, bees and bats, the installation of biodiversity ponds, hedgerow and tree planting and rainwater planters. Deputy Ó Cathasaigh will know of the huge potential in this area. The Minister of State and I look forward to proposals from the LSPs that will enhance biodiversity, improve access to barrier-free physical activity and help to build happier and healthier communities.
Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh
I do indeed know this area well. I recently called out to Tycor AFC, which is located just outside Waterford city. It is a big sporting complex, a lot of which is just green grass and playing pitches. The club is looking for a little help and support in terms of what can be done to make the place a little more wildlife friendly, apart from for the rabbits which keep digging up the playing surface, but that is a different matter.
I was trying to say to get in contact with the council, which has an arborist and can advise on tree-planting, and that there might be a pot of money to chase. There were bits and scraps. It was not together in one place. When you have a club and are being pulled in seven different directions to get the jerseys washed and do the divil and all, it can be difficult to track down those small pots of money. This is a brilliant initiative. It brings it all into one place and puts it in front of the clubs and local sports partnerships. Combining the outdoor recreation element with the connection with nature will make a big difference.
Deputy Catherine Martin
Absolutely. That is the intent here. The aim of the two funds proposed is to accelerate the provision of open access sports equipment in biodiversity-rich community settings. It seeks to provide low-cost sports capital and equipment grants for the purchase and installation of that permanent sports equipment that can be placed on land which, as the Deputy is saying, is just lying there and can be used for the wider community. As I said, an example is table tennis tables on council-owned land. The aim with the spare portion of the fund is to support nature connectedness with a specific focus on supporting the biodiversity of surrounding environments on such land. This is really good news for all our clubs and local communities.
Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh
I focused on the biodiversity element in my first contribution. I think the outdoor sports equipment fund is excellent too. I would like to see an intergenerational focus. We see many active retirement groups using the outdoor exercise equipment. It is great to see that happening. The places I see it happen most successfully are where they are co-located with playground equipment. The parents are often stuck at the playground, getting frozen. At least they would have something to do while the lads are on the swings and the slides. They might be able to get a little exercise in themselves. If you start layering those generations so that you have older people, people who are of parenting age and then the kids, you get all of those co-benefits from the societal pay-off of having that intergenerational element. Both of these funds are welcome. They will do a lot of good in communities. I praise the Minister for her action on it.
Deputy Catherine Martin
The programme for Government sets out a target for overall participation in sport to reach at least 60% of the population by 2027. It has key commitments such as promoting the value of physical activity as part of everyday life, adopting a lifelong perspective underpinned by physical literacy and placing a strong emphasis on swimming, cycling, walking and running, which are especially suitable for all generations, as the Deputy said. Commitments also include working with the local sports partnerships to ensure a greater roll-out of successful initiatives and targeted resources programmes which seek to address inequalities in sports participation. What I really see in these two funds is a positive step to achieving all of that and everything the Deputy has said. In order to reach those programme for Government targets, it is necessary to pursue the twin-pronged approach of maintaining existing capital commitments while also being innovative and thinking outside the box on how we can get everybody active across the board.
