COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor V. Casserly

Cathaoirleach's Business

To call on the manager to give an update on availability for pitch usage in the Lucan Area for Na Gaeil Oga. Currently they are travelling outside of the county due to no home grounds. For a minority group, and having a pitch strategy, this should not be an ongoing challenge to secure space within our county, more particularly Lucan.

Could the manager detail issues surrounding supporting the club to achieve this and what measures are being put in place to support them?

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council currently have 175 playing pitches for various sporting clubs such as Gaelic football, Camogie, Hurling, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Rounders, Softball and Athletics etc. serving over 1000 teams. Some 19,000 people use these pitches on a weekly basis. 

The allocation of playing pitches/sporting facilities is granted on a year-to-year basis subject to clubs undertaking to abide by the various Acts, Bye-Laws, terms and conditions etc. governing the use of County Council Parks and Open Spaces. 

The South Dublin County Council’s Allocation of Pitches/Sporting Facilities – Policy and Conditions can be found here:allocation-of-pitch-sporting-facilities-policy-and-conditions.pdf (sdcc.ie) 

SDCC continue to use the online Pitch Allocation and Booking system which all clubs are required to register on the system and submit their annual application form and application fee, for their allocation application to be considered. 

Clubs are then notified of their proposed allocation and fee for same. On receipt of the appropriate fee an official allocation is made. 

Any new clubs that wish to apply for the use of playing pitches/sporting facilities are asked to email publicrealm@sdublincoco.ie and an invitation to register on the system will be issued, once registered an application can be made. 

Na Gael Óga have been allocated one SDCC grass pitch in Corkagh Park. SDCC do not currently have any other available GAA grass pitches in the area. 

Na Gael Óga have 2 allocated time slots on SDCC’s Artificial Grass Pitch in Airlie Park which they have availed of each week since January 2024. From our records they have also availed of other time slots on a first come first served basis midweek and weekends since January 2024. Na Gael Óga have cancelled all spots in Airlie Park after 27th of March 2024 despite them being available to them until 24/04/2024.  

As with all clubs in the county, Na Gael Óga will be contacted in the coming weeks with regard to a summer allocation (May 1-Sept 30) for the Artificial grass pitch and again in June/July for the winter allocation (Oct 1-Apr 30). 

Grass Pitch allocations for the year are done in July and Na Gael Óga will be contacted in the same way as all clubs in the county for the allocation for 2024/2025 grass pitch allocations.