Clare’s sports clubs are being urged to register for €40m Sports Capital Grants, as more user friendly application process is introduced.
Minister for Trade, Business & Employment, EU Digital Single Market & Data Protection Pat Breen is encouraging Clare clubs and sports organisations to register online now for the newly announced Sports Capital Grants.
The Clare Minister of State confirmed that €40 million is available to develop sports infrastructure around the country, under the 2018 programme.
“I would like to see Clare clubs and organisations benefit as much as possible from this funding and so I encourage all involved to prepare the necessary paperwork for their applications in advance,” said Minister Breen.
“I am particularly pleased that the application process has been reviewed and is now expected to be more user-friendly, reducing the chances of errors in applications,” he added.
“Clare clubs and sports organisations looking to apply should register now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Applications can only be made online from 9am on Friday 7th September until 5pm on Friday 19th October, 2018.”
“The Sports Capital Programme represents an excellent value for money investment for society. It was re-instated by the last Fine Gael government in 2012, after it had been cut by Fianna Fáil in the wake of the economic crash.
“It is crucial we invest in sport and the health of our population, particularly with obesity is on the rise. Investing in sport is good for the health of the nation, both literally and economically,” he said.
Minister of State, Brendan Griffin highlighted the changes to the terms of the new programme. “While the Sports Capital Programme is already hugely popular with sports clubs across so many different sporting disciplines, we are determined to make the application process as simple and user-friendly as possible.
“We undertook a detailed review of the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme and the recommendations arising have been fully factored in to the new terms and conditions of the 2018 scheme. In particular, we are introducing some significant changes in our assessment methodology to ensure that we minimise the number of invalid applications.
“We will also give even greater priority to applications from disadvantaged areas and projects that promote the sharing of sports facilities with other clubs and the wider community.”
Welcoming the opening of applications, Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton said, “I’m delighted that this year, following an agreement by both my own Department and the Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport, that all schools may now be able to avail of the Sports Capital Grant Scheme as long as they do so in conjunction with a sports club. This is a great opportunity and I encourage all interested schools to apply.”
The Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
The programme funds
- Natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage)
- Floodlighting
- Artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas
- Security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts
- Hurling walls / handball alleys
- Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets
- Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms
- Non-personal equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators.
- Any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance
All allocations under the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme are available on the Department’s website www.dttas.ie. A detailed review of the 2017 round of the programme is also published on the site.