Capital grants of €26 million for 615 projects have been announced by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. This represents the first such funding since 2008 and great care has been taken to ensure that political calculations, so long a perceived major factor in this programme have been firmly put to one side.
Carlow, Meath and Wicklow were the three counties to receive the highest per capita funding of €6.80, making up for each having filled the bottom three spots in the same calculation over the period since 1998.
There is a vast spread of sports and community based projects to be funded under the scheme. They range from pitch and track facilities to halls and dressing rooms and community based projects that are clearly sporting in nature and will increase participation in a local area.
Bray is to have a new centre for Boxing with a grant of €190,000 going towards a new Ballywaltrim Boxing Club. Earlier this year €25,000 was made available to Bray Boxing Club to upgrade facilities though these will now be needed only in a shorter term than was originally planned.
Marlay Park in Dublin is to have new all weather pitches built after a grant of €300,000 to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
This first phase covered local projects. The second phase, with a total of €4 million for Regional or National projects will be announced in the coming weeks.
Almost half of the 2,170 applications for funding were deemed invalid for reasons of uncertain ownership of lands, difficulties in planning or missed deadlines. This number is very high given the amount of money on offer and the difference it will make to those who were succesful.
The total amount of money bid for was €229 million showing the great need for investment to bring facilities up to standard.
The grants do though represent a significant investment and will attract other funding from communities and local business to enable what will be a real improvement in the sporting infrastructure we have at grass roots level.
Speaking at the announcement Minister Michael Ring, said: ‘I am excited about the allocations being made today. These allocations will benefit people in every county by giving them more opportunities to get involved in sport, whatever their ability. This funding will allow a diverse array of sports clubs and groups to build and improve much-needed facilities, or to purchase sports equipment’.
The full list of grants made available under the scheme can be viewed here.
There is a vast spread of sports and community based projects to be funded under the scheme. They range from pitch and track facilities to halls and dressing rooms and community based projects that are clearly sporting in nature and will increase participation in a local area.
Bray is to have a new centre for Boxing with a grant of €190,000 going towards a new Ballywaltrim Boxing Club. Earlier this year €25,000 was made available to Bray Boxing Club to upgrade facilities though these will now be needed only in a shorter term than was originally planned.
Marlay Park in Dublin is to have new all weather pitches built after a grant of €300,000 to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.
This first phase covered local projects. The second phase, with a total of €4 million for Regional or National projects will be announced in the coming weeks.
Almost half of the 2,170 applications for funding were deemed invalid for reasons of uncertain ownership of lands, difficulties in planning or missed deadlines. This number is very high given the amount of money on offer and the difference it will make to those who were succesful.
The total amount of money bid for was €229 million showing the great need for investment to bring facilities up to standard.
The grants do though represent a significant investment and will attract other funding from communities and local business to enable what will be a real improvement in the sporting infrastructure we have at grass roots level.
Speaking at the announcement Minister Michael Ring, said: ‘I am excited about the allocations being made today. These allocations will benefit people in every county by giving them more opportunities to get involved in sport, whatever their ability. This funding will allow a diverse array of sports clubs and groups to build and improve much-needed facilities, or to purchase sports equipment’.
The full list of grants made available under the scheme can be viewed here.
