Deputy Conlan urges applications to new €30M Sports Capital Fund – 03/04/12

3rd April 2012 - Sean Conlan

Cavan/Monaghan Deputy Sean Conlan has urged sporting organisations in the Cavan/Monaghan constituency to apply for funding to a new €30million Sports Capital fund announced today which is the first Sports Capital funding released for four years.

Deputy Conlan said: “The €30 million fund announced by Sports Minister Michael Ring TD demonstrates the Government’s commitment to encourage more people to take part in sport. I’m urging sporting organisations wishing to avail of funding to get their applications into the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport as soon as possible.”

The Ballybay based Dáil Deputy added that the scheme will also be open to far more clubs and groups than ever before, because a strict requirement on landownership has been relaxed. In the past, all applicants had to own their land or have it on a long lease. Minister Ring has decided that these clubs will now be able to apply for grants of up to €25,000 to upgrade facilities.

The Sports Capital Programme is the main channel of Government support for developing sports facilities and purchasing sports equipment for sports clubs and organisations across Ireland.

In line with the Programme for Government, this new Sports Capital scheme will have a stronger focus on projects which increase active participation in sport, particularly in disadvantaged areas. Under this scheme pitches will be drained, floodlights will be installed, sports halls will be improved and dressing rooms will be built.

The minimum amount of matching funding which clubs and organisations will need to provide themselves in order to apply for a grant has been halved from the previous round of the programme in 2008:

·Groups in RAPID areas will only need to raise a minimum of 5% of the project cost in order to apply;

·Groups in CLÁR areas will only need to raise a minimum of 10% of the project cost in order to apply;

·Groups in non-disadvantaged areas will only need to raise a minimum of 15% of the project cost in order to apply.

The Department of Transport Tourism and Sport will monitor spending by clubs closely in order to ensure it is utilised fully for the purpose intended.

Deputy Conlan urges applications to new €30M Sports Capital Fund – 03/04/12

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