Funding boost for sports campus

SPORTS MINISTER John O’Donoghue yesterday announced he had secured Budget-related funding that would allow work to begin on the Abbotstown Sports Campus in Dublin.

Mr O’Donoghue said the first phase will be completed by 2010 and will include training areas for professional (rugby and soccer) and amateur (Gaelic games and hockey) field sports.

It will also include accommodation, medical and indoor training facilities.

However, a less-than-expected funding allocation has been earmarked for the €365 million Lansdowne Road stadium next year.

The Exchequer will provide €191m of that funding, of which €20m will be provided next year. The balance will come from the IRFU and the FAI.

That raised suspicions among the Opposition that the stadium will be delayed.

However, Mr O’Donoghue said the project was on schedule.

Labour sports spokesman Jack Wall said there was a €10m reduction in the money being allocated to Lansdowne Road next year.

He said the figure provided for in the Estimates was over €30m, yet only €20m was available for 2006 following the Budget.