Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan, has called on the Government to redirect sports infrastructure funding towards projects that are ready to move ahead, arguing that money should not remain unspent while communities are prepared to deliver major developments.
Raising the issue with the Tánaiste in the Dáil, Deputy McGreehan highlighted the case for funding Phase 2 of the new Louth GAA Stadium through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.
McGreehan said that where approved projects are unable to draw down their allocations, the Government should redirect funding towards applications that are construction-ready and capable of progressing immediately.
“The Tánaiste might have heard that there is a wee bit of excitement in Louth at the moment.
“This is not just one brilliant season for Louth GAA. Louth GAA is on the rise and, thankfully, so too is our stadium,” she said.
Phase 1 of the new stadium project is nearing completion and Louth GAA has already submitted an application under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for Phase 2.
Deputy McGreehan said the county is in a strong position to advance the next stage of the development and should be considered if funding becomes available elsewhere in the programme.
“There is little point in having money sitting idle when communities are ready to deliver.
“Our stadium is becoming a field of dreams for all of us Gaelic games lovers and sports lovers in County Louth. The county board, players and supporters are all doing their part and we are asking the Government to finish the job,” she said.
The call comes as Louth prepares for its first All-Ireland football semi-final since 1957, with growing excitement across the county and renewed focus on the need for sporting infrastructure that can support the county’s continued progress.
Responding in the Dáil, the Tánaiste said he would raise the matter again with the Minister responsible and ask him to come back to the Deputy directly.
Deputy McGreehan welcomed this commitment.
“Louth has shown we are ready to compete with the best on the pitch, and I want the Government to help us build a stadium that matches that ambition and success,” she said.
For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.
ENDS
