‘Bureaucratic’ hold-up to funding North Cork sports complex project

Concerns have been raised about a ‘bureaucratic’ hold-up in the release of government funds to start the first phase of a major sports complex project in north Cork’s largest town.

The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport announced a grant of €2m for the first phase of the development at Carhookeal, Mallow, in 2024.

However, since then there has been no word of when the funds will be released to Cork County Council for the project.

The money is earmarked for the development of an Olympic-standard 400m running track, the first phase of an overall project that when complete will incorporate a clubhouse, indoor basketball court, tennis courts, playing pitches, and areas for track and field sports.

Until work starts on the track the council cannot apply for further funding for on-site projects.

The delay in the release of the initial funding was highlighted at a meeting of the Kanturk/Mallow municipal district council by its chairman Fianna Fáil councillor Gearoid Murphy.

Mr Murphy was informed by municipal district officer Claire Barr that the council is still awaiting the necessary ‘Gateway 1’ approval from the department that would allow it to put the 400m track out to tender.

Ms Barr said that if she gets any further updates she will inform councillors immediately.

CONCERNED

Mr Murphy said he’s concerned that the council “is still trying to jump through administrative hoops” to get the promised cash and start the project.

He and Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden said as construction inflation is rising all the time any delays could mean the project will cost even more to complete and there might not be enough money from the €2m grant to do this.

Labour’s Ronan Sheehan said the latest update makes it seem the project “has been put on the back burner”.

Mr Sheehan said clarity is needed because nobody in the public understands what ‘Gateway 1’ approval means, and they want hard facts.

Council officials admitted they’ve had no update from the department on the ‘Gateway 1’ approval issue since last August.

Fianna Fáil’s Pat Hayes said people are anxious to know what is happening with the project.

Mr Murphy won unanimous support from council colleagues to lobby senators and TDs representing the region to put pressure on the department to release the long-promised funding.