COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 09, 2019

QUESTION NO.27

QUESTION: Councillor Shane Moynihan

To ask the Chief Executive to set out, in tabular format, the total amout of money spent on Tallaght Stadium in the year to date under categorical headings and how this performs against projected spend and if he will make a statement on how the difference between the two is addressed. 

REPLY:

Tallaght Stadium is the venue for Airtricity League of Ireland games involving Shamrock Rovers home games, as well as recent hosting of Dundalk FC European games. It has been the venue for seven EUFA games including the final of the EUFA U/17 European Championships, as well as FAI games for U21, U19 & U17 teams, in addition to the Senior FAI Women’s International Teams games. The capacity of the Stadium is now over 8,000 with the completion of the South Stand in 2018. The proposed North Stand will on completion bring the capacity to over 10,000.

As well as sporting events, the venue is the County Venue for Business, Conference and Community Events. The venue has hosted the opening of the National Special Olympics Games, American Football matches, Dublin GAA U14 Feile finals in both Hurling and Football. The venue recently held a launch of the most recent Dublin Economic Monitor, as well as other business events organised through the Local Enterprise Office. The recent Public Participation Network event was one of the many Community events held there as well. The venue is an active venue with events taking place through both day and evening, throughout the year. In recent years a Christmas Circus and an Ice-Skating Rink have been located at the Stadium.

Expenditure includes ongoing maintenance of the pitch to ensure it is kept in pristine condition for the many high-profile matches and events that take place in the stadium. Recent improvements that have taken place at the Stadium include;

A list of the expenditure for 2019 under the main expenditure areas is set out in the table below;

 

 

Contractor Payments

       55,936.02

Maintenance (including pitch)

       37,075.42

Hire of Machinery

       11,443.75

Purchase of Materials

       33,693.10

Catering Costs

         3,376.29

Communication Expenses

         1,654.69

Security - Property

           598.05

Rates and Water Charges

       30,042.14

Energy Cost

       33,298.34

 

 

The projected income for 2019 is €220,000 which is generated through both on field sporting activities as well as off field activities within the Stadium, including conference and business events, motor bike training, Saturday market and Parking facilities for local business. An annual budget for expenditure and income is set for the Stadium and monitored throughout the year to ensure costs are kept within budget.

The Council through its Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development Department aims to increase the number of events, including Business and Conference activity in the Stadium. In addition, the Stadium currently has a Licence for up to 20,000 spectators for concerts, and the Stadium Manager is actively engaged in the process of trying to attract such an event to the Stadium. The proposed new improved Corporate facilities to be developed in the Main Stand, will greatly assist in increasing visitor numbers through an increased number of Business and Corporate events.

A Report on Digital Communication, Outdoor Advertising and Branding was brought to the May 2019 County Council Meeting. The report mentioned opportunities within the Stadium in relation to;