Local TD and Minister for Business Employment and Retail Emer Higgins has welcomed the allocation of €63,750 under the Participation National Outdoor Fund, calling it “great news for South Dublin and our local communities.” This funding will support local Sports Partnerships across Dublin Mid-West, bringing key developments to several parks.
Higgins said “These projects will benefit diverse groups, including people with disabilities, and older adults and are a huge benefit to our community. Making sure our community has access to amenities like this and ensuring they grow with our communities’ needs is a priority of mine and something I will continue to push for in Government.”
Higgins said “It’s great to see this fund include; outdoor exercise equipment to be installed in Quarryvale Park and Carrigmore Park, Citywest, aimed at adults and older residents, with modern resistance-based equipment, expanding amenities with new volleyball nets in four additional parks with nets already installed in Griffeen Valley and Corkagh Park, alongside a planned beach volleyball court and new box up units will be added to Airlie Park, Lucan, Rathcoole Park, and Tymon Park, following their success in Dodder Valley and Beechfield Parks”.
“The Participation Nation Outdoor Fund is a great example of how this Government is working to boost participation levels and I am confident that it will complement the fantastic community good that is already delivered under both the Community Sport Facilities Fund and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund”, concluded Higgins.
A total of €2.26 million has been allocated to 30 local sports partnerships across the country to support the purchase and installation of permanent sport infrastructure that can be placed on public land for community use by The Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD.
In line with the Programme for Government target of reaching 60% overall participation in sport by 2027, the fund is designed to spur physical activity in local community settings by supporting Local Sports Partnerships with the development of barrier-free sport projects on publicly accessible land.
Allocations are funded by the Department and administered by Sport Ireland. Examples of the type of projects supported under the Fund include 3×3 basketball courts, outdoor soccer tables, table tennis, and outdoor gym equipment.
Any queries regarding the fund should be directed to participation@sportireland.ie
