Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities whether any assessment has been made of the effect of access to (i) accessible; (ii) covered; and (iii) indoor, sports facilities on levels of participation by disabled people in sport.
Minister for Communities: This issue is an operational matter for Sport NI, they have advised me as follows:
“No assessment has been made of the effect of access to (i) accessible; (ii) covered; and (iii) indoor, sports facilities on levels of participation by disabled people in sport.
However, in recognition of the importance of accessible sports facilities to support increasing participation and improving sporting performance, Sport NI provides grant funding to Disability Sport NI to develop and operate the Inclusive Sports Facilities (ISF) Accreditation.
This Accreditation Scheme encourages and recognises excellence in the design of sports facilities and is awarded to sports facilities which successfully meet the recommendations outlined in Disability Sport NI’s ‘Accessible Sports Facilities Design Guidelines’.
Sport NI has previously made ISF awards to organisations alongside their capital funding award to support applicants to ensure their new facility was designed to meet optimum levels of good practice in terms of access for disabled people. The award provides for:
A Disability Access Audit and preparation of a Report.
Access consultant review of designs and drawings.
Access consultant support during construction phase.
Inclusive Sports Facility inspection visit.
Provision of guidelines and templates for facility managers.
Delivery of a Disability Inclusion Training Course for facility managers.
Sport NI has also provided financial support to DSNI to develop and publish a wide range of access guides which includes Accessible Outdoor Places Design Guidelines and Accessible Sports Clubs Design Guidelines.
Furthermore, in September 2025, the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) and Sport NI hosted a Promoting Excellence in Sports Facilities conference, which included insight on building sustainable and inclusive facility infrastructure.”
ENDS
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