AQW 7253/22-27

Mr Peter McReynolds
Alliance Party
East Belfast

Tabled Date: 22/02/2024
Answered On Date: 29/02/2024
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for his assessment of the new budget necessary to deliver the aims of the Sub-Regional Stadia Programme for Soccer; and (ii) whether he has requested additional budget from the UK government for the Sub Regional Stadia Programme for Soccer.

Answer:

My officials carried out a cost analysis in 2022/2023 which suggests around £120million will be required to modernise performance clubs to a similar standard as that enjoyed in neighbouring jurisdictions.

Regarding Grassroots facilities, the ‘DCMS Grassroots Needs Assessment, Full Scoping Report’ published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in June 2022 shows a Northern Ireland deficit on pitch provision at grassroots level which, was at the time of publication, expected to cost in the region of £60million to address. Further work to assess needs at grassroots level is on-going.

The Irish Football Association are currently developing a business case for a National Training Centre. A final costed figure is not yet available.

It should be noted that these are cost estimates and do not assume that funding can be made available at this level from any specific source, including central government. This is simply an estimation of overall potential need calculated at a specific point in time.

I expect funding to come from a variety of sources, including match funding sources secured by footballing bodies and clubs themselves. I intend to seek my Executive colleagues’ agreement to allocate additional capital funding to this important Programme. I will also make a strong case for the UK to make a contribution to overall costs to modernise football facilities. I am engaging with the UK Sports Minister in early March.