The appetite for sport and the need for investment have been highlighted by news that the Sports Capital Programme has been heavily oversubscribed.
Funding for the Programme which was reinstated this year is capped at €30 million but no less than €224 million has been applied for by 2,150 clubs and organisations across the country.  The total value of the projects submitted is as high as €370 million.
“While we were delighted to have secured this funding of €30m for new sports capital projects,” said Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, “demand has outstripped supply with €7.50 sought for every €1 we can allocate.”
“We would love to support every deserving project, but the harsh reality of life is that there are limits to what we can do.  That is why expectations have to be realistic.  There is an insatiable demand for funding and there will still be a large number of disappointed applicants.”
Department officials have started to process the applications received and the list of successful applicants will be announced in late autumn or early winter 2012.  The Department will write to individual applicants confirming the outcome of their application.
The criteria against which the applications will be judged include a main focus on likely beneficial impact on participation; the level of disadvantage in the area; the level of own funding being provided by the club; and whether the facilities will be shared with other clubs or sports.
Previous sports capital allocations awarded to particular clubs may also be considered as the list is reduced.
Dublin, Cork, Galway and Mayo put forward the largest value of applications, totalling more than €88 million while the four lowest submitting counties, seeking combined grants less than one tenth of their larger rivals were Longford, Laois, Offaly and Leitrim.
 
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