No cash forBrandywelluntil 2015

The Sentinel reported that Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín had written to Derry City Council advising she has no money available to help fund the proposed re-development of the Brandywell Stadium in Londonderry.

Furthermore, she has advised that although a process has been put in place to take forward sub-regional stadium development should funding become available in future, this is being developed by the Irish Football Association (IFA) with the help of SportNI.

Derry City FC, the Brandywell’s landmark tenant, significantly play under a different association, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

A DCAL spokesperson has now stated: “For the record, the Minister has, in fact, insisted that her officials approach the Brandywell Masterplan on a progressive and positive basis.

“DCAL officials have been instructed, in the first instance, to meet with Derry City Council about the Showgrounds and Daisyfield elements, since these have specific socio-economic and equality implications beyond sub-regional stadium considerations.

“DCAL has consistently stated that the Brandywell Stadium development will be considered in due course, in the context of a funding programme for local stadium development.

“DCAL has also consistently stated that there is currently no Executive money available to fund such development in the immediate term, but that this will remain a DCAL objective in the forthcoming Budget.”

The spokesperson advised that Foyle SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood was provided with this information in answer to an Assembly Question, as long ago as March 2012.