NIFL stadia funding: potential breakthrough in funding delay after meeting with Communites Minister
Last updated 18th Feb 2022
Local football officials are hoping the multi-million pound sub-regional stadia development programme will go ahead as planned.
It follows a meeting between Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey and a joint delegation of NIFL and Irish FA officials.
After the meeting, NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor said, in a statement, that he welcomed the Minister's response to their concerns.
And he added: "We held an open and frank discussion and we received assurances: the programme will proceed as planned, acknowledgment that an increase on the 36m is required and is being sought, and the programme remains a flagship project for the Executive. Communication is key in the delivery of this programme going forward and I hope to see it delivered in a timely manner”.
In a statement, Conrad Kirkwood, Irish FA President, said: “We were pleased to hear the minister clarify the remarks she made earlier this week and that sub-regional funding for football stadia in Northern Ireland would still be made available.
“We know football improves people’s lives. We also know that, in Northern Ireland, it is in need of investment which is long overdue.
“Our job now is to work in collaboration with the minister, and all football stakeholders from senior clubs at NIFL to the grassroots, to ensure this promise is delivered on.”
And in a Tweet Minister Hargey said they would "work together" to progress the programme.