Byrne says Government wants to give €3.99m to Finn Harps for stadium but awaits FAI correspondence

Mr. Byrne said the funding allocation under the government’s large-scale sport infrastructure fund (LSSIF) is ready to be released as far as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is concerned.

"Finn Harps FC was granted €3.99 million. I want to give that money to it and for the stadium to be built. In line with the standard procedures for grants, we are waiting for correspondence from the FAI in terms of co-funding.

"We are awaiting some documentation. There is also an LSSIF top-up process in place and I want Finn Harps FC to succeed in that. Officials are assessing that at the moment, but I understand it has submitted an application. We want to provide the grant and build the stadium,” he said.

The proposed new Donegal Community Stadium has been in the planning for over 15 years and is expected to cost in the region of €8m. Once completed it will hold around 6,000 people.

Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin raised the long-awaited replacement for Finn Park and the need for better stadia with Mr. Byrne in the Dáil.

“I went to matches 30 years ago - I acknowledge the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, did too - where all the talk is about the past and the glory days of the past but the infrastructure was very poor. It has not really improved since then.

"Now the talk is all about the future and about investment and the potential of Dalymount Park, Tolka Park and Richmond Park to improve, as well as of grounds around the country including Finn Park in Donegal, the grounds in Sligo and various stadiums. That investment is needed.

"There is potential for our League of Ireland clubs to advance and become regular participants in the group stages of European competitions that could bring big name clubs to this country on a regular basis.

"Playing those games here is within our vision and not having to hang our hat on such projects as Euro 2028, which we are quite sceptical about,” said Deputy Ó Ríordáin.

The Labour TD, who is a Bohemians supporter, said many followers of League of Ireland clubs want more investment in the domestic game rather than on gala tournaments such as the 2028 UEFA European Football Championship, which is due to be co-hosted by Ireland, with games to be played at Lansdowne Road and Casement Park.

“We are sceptical that there always seems to be some sort of big castle on the hill-type project we should be excited about, rather than the basic fundamentals,” he said.H

He referred to a recent FAI report that concluded that ‘one third of Irish clubs effectively cannot host an under-14s girls' game’.

"If that is the reality on the ground then we need to seriously address that,” he stated.

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