A new online system for managing Government investment in sporting facilities will go live on Monday, September 28, ahead of the formal announcement of the next Community Sport Facilities Fund, expected next week.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan and Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue confirmed on Thursday that the new SPRAOI grant management system will replace OSCAR as the platform clubs and sporting organisations use to register for the fund.

The Community Sport Facilities Fund is the Government’s principal mechanism for supporting sports clubs and communities in developing sporting infrastructure around the country.

Clubs and organisations which were previously registered on OSCAR have had their registrations automatically transferred to SPRAOI.

They are being encouraged to check that the information transferred remains accurate.

Clubs and organisations that have not previously registered with the Department can do so from Monday.

Details of higher grant ceilings and a revised funding structure have already been circulated publicly, but the Department has not yet formally published the definitive Information Guide, eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions.  It has said that the two Ministers will formally announce details of the new Community Sport Facilities Fund next week.

Sporting bodies have been advised that the proposed structure includes equipment-only grants of up to €70,000 and local project grants of up to €250,000, alongside larger regional funding categories in two bands up to €500,000 and €750,000.

In guidance issued to its clubs, several sporting bodies said the application window is expected to open on October 19 and remain open until February 26, 2027.

The launch has also generated a political disagreement within Government over the timing of the release of information.

Fianna Fáil politicians complained after details of the proposed scheme began appearing publicly before the Department had formally announced it.

Minister of State McConalogue told his parliamentary colleagues on Wednesday that elements of the scheme were still being finalised.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin later confirmed that he intends to discuss the announcement process with his Coalition partners.

He stressed, however, that the substantive issue was the level of investment being made available to sport.

“This Government and the previous government have dramatically increased the funding available to sports clubs all over the country, and that’s the main point here,” he said.

Martin also highlighted the role that capital funding can play in widening access to sport.

“And in particular, through our support, female participation in sport has increased significantly. We’re looking at assisting those with disabilities and participation of people with disabilities in sport more effectively through these grants.”

He confirmed that O’Donovan and McConalogue will jointly announce the new scheme next week.

 

Sport for Business Perspective

The politics surrounding the timing of the announcement will pass.

The timing of the announcement of long-term capital funding running into many millions is notable, coming the week before the Budget announcement, when the sports community has focused on the need to raise funding for current spending on NGB core activities, including programmes.

The scale and design of the next Community Sport Facilities Fund will, though, have consequences for Irish sport for years.

SPRAOI will become the front door through which clubs access one of the most important sources of State investment available to Irish sport.

Getting clubs registered early and ensuring that information transferred from OSCAR is correct is therefore an important immediate task for National Governing Bodies and sporting organisations.  2Into3, one of the leading advisors in this space and a long-term member of Sport for Business, has already communicated this to clubs it has worked with.

The more consequential questions will be answered when Ministers O’Donovan and McConalogue publish the final scheme.

How large will individual grants be?

How strongly will multi-sport projects and club-school partnerships be encouraged?

What requirements will be attached to accessibility, gender equality and community use?

And how much money will ultimately be allocated to the programme?

Sports capital investment is increasingly being viewed not merely as support for individual clubs but as investment in community infrastructure, participation and public health.

That was reflected in the Taoiseach’s emphasis this week on women’s participation and improving opportunities for people with disabilities.  It also makes collaboration increasingly important.

A facility capable of serving several clubs, a school and the wider community potentially makes a stronger case for substantial public investment than infrastructure available primarily to one organisation.

We will report in detail next week when the Government reveals how much it is prepared to invest — and the conditions Irish sport will have to meet to access it.

 

 

 

Sport Ireland, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, 2 Into 3 and over 40 National Governing Bodies of Sport are full members of Sport for Business. Dublin City Council are the official partners of our Community Sport pillar.

If you would like to be part of the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.

ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS

Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies, and public institutions through high-quality content, events, and insights.

Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.

Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practices, and make better-informed decisions. It positions sport not just as entertainment but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.

Find out more about becoming a member today.

Or sign up for our Daily Sport for Business Snapshot email bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.