AQW 20812/22-27


Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford


Tabled Date: 17/01/2025
Answered On Date: 03/02/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) when guidance will be provided to local councils and sports clubs in relation to the transition away from Artificial Grass Pitches; and (ii) any financial support that will be made available following the EU REACH restriction on the sale of rubber infill for 3G Artificial Grass Pitches.


Answer:
Guidance regarding Artificial Grass Pitches is an operational matter for Sport NI.
I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised me as follows:
On 25th September 2023, the European Commission announced the introduction of new rules on microplastic materials which will apply following an eight-year transition period, ending October 2031. Sport NI has shared this information with the sports sector, advising of the proposed changes and what this means for playing pitches.
Sport NI has published an Information Paper and a Position Statement at https://www.sportni.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Microplastics-Information-Paper-November-2023.pdf informing the sports sector of upcoming changes and advising on alternatives to rubber infill and reducing the impact of existing rubber infill. 
In addition, Sport NI:
Have engaged with Councils and Private Sector Integrated Consultancy Teams (ICT).
Have attended and delivered workshops on the subject, including inviting the leading expert in this field to speak to delegates in NI.
Provide on-going advice to the sports sector, via https://www.sportni.net/facilities/microplastics/
Contribute to a UK working group that is testing alternative (organic) infill products, and we are monitoring results. 
Sport NI are also monitoring the development of new pitches in Republic of Ireland and are awaiting the availability of performance data.
Sport NI are not recommending a specific organic infill product (as an alternative to rubber), as there are now multiple such products available. However, we will provide information to enable others (i.e., ICTs) to select the most appropriate product on behalf of their clients.
At this time, my Department does not offer any programmes that disburse financial support to assist owners for maintenance or replacement of artificial grass pitches.
In addition, the Chief Executive of Sport NI has also advised as follows:
Many synthetic pitches in Northern Ireland have been funded using public money.  Subsequently there should be an expectation that owners of these assets have operated them in a financially sustainable way.  This includes setting aside a portion of revenue each year to maintain their pitch and replace the asset at the end of its economic life (i.e. an Asset Replacement Fund or Sinking Fund).  Synthetic pitches funded by Sport NI would have included this specific stipulation as part of the terms and conditions of award.
Since September 2024, new Sport NI investment programmes have not funded 3G synthetic pitches with rubber infill.  However, there is no financial support specifically to address the EU REACH restriction on the sale of rubber infill for 3G Artificial Grass Pitches.
As per my answer to AQW18949/22-27, my officials are currently engaging with other stakeholders and assessing the impact of the ban on the sale of rubber crumb for 3G artificial grass pitches from 2031 in Northern Ireland and I await an update on next steps.
For any future queries relating to operational matters, you may wish to contact Sport NI directly.  Making direct contact with Sport NI will ensure that you receive the information in the shortest possible timeframe and make best use of public resources.