Delay in sport facility in Kildare village raised in Dáil
Sallins needs sporting facilities for its growing population
CONCERNS have been raised in the Dáil over ongoing delays to the development of a major new multi-sport recreational facility in Sallins, despite €3 million in government funding being announced almost two years ago.
Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly told the Dáil that residents in the rapidly growing town could not understand why “there has not been an iota of movement in expenditure” since the project secured funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) in 2024.
The planned Sallins Park Community Sports Centre is set to include multiple pitches catering for GAA, soccer and cricket, alongside access roads, pathways and parking facilities. The first phase of the development received €3 million in State funding, with Kildare County Council matching the allocation with a further €3 million contribution.
Speaking during a Topical Issue debate, Deputy Farrelly said the project had become bogged down in excessive bureaucracy.
“The department has asked for more information over and over again and another business case,” he said.
“It talks about gateways 1, 2 and 3 and it has tied the project in a level of bureaucracy that I have never seen before.”
He praised Kildare County Council’s track record in delivering major amenity projects, pointing to the transformation of the former landfill site at Kerdiffstown into a public recreational space.
“The council has the authority and competency to be able to deliver this project,” he said.
Deputy Farrelly also warned of increasing pressure on sports infrastructure in Sallins, where the population now exceeds 6,000 people according to the latest census figures.
He highlighted concerns that Sallins Celtic could face losing its current grounds if nearby lands are rezoned for residential development under proposed changes to the county development plan.
“There is an urgency about this matter,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell said the Department expected the project to pass “approval gate 1” in the coming weeks following requests for updated information from Kildare County Council.
“The Department and Kildare County Council are in regular contact regarding the project,” he said.
Deputy O’Donnell confirmed that phase one of the project would involve the construction of five pitches, including two pitches for Gaelic games and soccer, while additional grass training pitches would later be developed for soccer, GAA and cricket use.
The Minister of State said all major capital projects were required to undergo assessments under public infrastructure guidelines, but acknowledged the importance of the facility for the local community.
However, Deputy Farrelly questioned whether similar delays were affecting projects nationwide.
“When you get past the headline and look at the ability to draw down that money, I am really concerned Sallins is not alone,” he said.
“There will be many other projects that have gone through a similar gateway fiasco, where they have the funds but cannot access them.” He indicated he intended to raise the issue further with the Committee of Public Accounts.
Deputy O’Donnell said the Government remained committed to record investment in sporting infrastructure and said the Sallins project would provide “much needed sporting facilities for the growing population".
