Perhaps he jumped the gun a shade but when Minister Michael McGrath told the audience at the Irish Sport Industry Awards on Tuesday that the current round of Sports Capital Programme would be the largest yet, it certainly prompted a quick reaction of confirmation from the Ministers responsible for its distribution.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne T.D., and Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D., yesterday confirmed the number in the latest round would be a minimum of €250 million.
The funding available represents a 50% increase on the funding allocated in early 2022 under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. It should mean positive allocation decisions for all valid applications under the 2023 Programme.
Since 1998, more than 13,000 projects have benefited from sports capital funding, bringing the total allocations in that time to approximately €1.15 billion. It is generally accepted that the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland with improvements in the quality and quantity of sporting facilities in virtually every village, town and city.
Yesterday’s announcement follows the confirmation made earlier this month by Ministers Martin and Byrne that over €26m in equipment-only grants had been awarded to over 900 sports groups.
This represented the largest-ever allocation of equipment-only grants under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme to date which will be of practical benefit to multiple sports organisations, their members and athletes across Ireland.
“I am delighted to have secured the largest ever allocation for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme,” said Minister Martin.
“This is great news for sporting organisations throughout the country, their members and athletes. As a Government we have committed to 60% overall participation in sport by 2027.”
“Today’s announcement takes us further along that journey as the funding confirmed, including over €26m for sports equipment earlier this month, will help to increase participation in a wide range of sports. As we look forward to the Olympics just around the corner today’s announcement is an important demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the sports sector and the communities that use the facilities to be funded. I look forward to announcing the sports clubs and organisations throughout the country who will get the funds.”
“I know that every club and sporting organisation who applied under the 2023 round of the Sports Capital Programme have been eagerly anticipating confirmation regarding their applications,” added Minister Byrne.
“Earlier this month I was pleased to confirm the equipment grants to organisations across the country and to over fifty sports and activities. Further individual allocations, including those for capital works and capital works with an equipment component, will be announced in the autumn.”
“The funding confirmed today represents a 50% increase on the funding allocated under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and it should mean positive allocation decisions for all valid applications under the current 2023 Programme. As a Government, we are delivering record budgets for sport, as we work to provide everyone, of every ability, with an opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. I look forward to confirming individual allocations later in the year.”
“The significant increase in funding available under this round of the Sports Capital Grant demonstrates this Government’s commitment to encouraging the take-up of sports, of all kinds, and the continued drive to promote sporting participation across the country,” said Minister Donohoe.
“As a former Minister at the Department of Sport, I have seen first-hand the impact that the Sports Capital Grant has on the lives of our citizens, and also the demand that exists for the grant. I am pleased to see that the interest in this round is as strong as ever. The benefits of sport, at any age, both mentally and physically, cannot be overstated.”
“There is also a tremendous sense of community that comes from engagement with sports and their associated organisations. Ensuring that we have the right equipment in place and that adequate facilities are provided is key to supporting people of all abilities to get, and to stay, involved. I was pleased that the recently negotiated National Development Plan could provide for this, the largest-ever investment in sports facilities across the country. I look forward to see this funding in action.”
Happy days for sporting clubs that got their applications in, including the many that attended sessions run in advance by Sport for Business and 2Into3.
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