COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 13, 2026

QUESTION NO. 18

QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive how SDCC justifies allowing sports teams from outside of SDCC to book the county's public all weather football facilities?

REPLY:

Local clubs are given priority access to SDCC’s 3G pitches through the annual winter allocation process. Each year, clubs are invited to apply for preferential access for the winter season, which runs from September to April, Monday to Friday. As part of this process, clubs are asked to identify their preferred days and times, and a winter allocation schedule is then prepared to provide successful applicants with recurring bookings for the allocated period.

While every effort is made to accommodate clubs’ preferred times, specific time slots cannot be guaranteed due to the level of demand and the need to ensure fair and equitable access for all applicants. Since the opening of the 3G pitches, local clubs have been guaranteed a minimum allocation of one hour per week during the winter season.

Following confirmation of all allocated bookings, any remaining available slots are made available through the online booking system on a first-come, first-served basis. These residual slots may be booked by all clubs, including clubs from outside the South Dublin County Council administrative area. Clubs with existing allocations may also book additional pitch time, subject to availability.