THE Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, T.D, and the Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers, T.D., today announced €16.6 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
“Today I’m delighted to announce good news for hundreds of sports organisations right around the country,” stated Minister Martin.
“Sports Capital and Equipment funding is another example of Government helping sporting communities through these challenging times; supporting clubs and organisations to provide the facilities necessary to achieve our objectives of increased participation in sport; and help realise the immense benefits that physical activity can bring to our lives. Today’s grants will assist sports clubs and National Governing Bodies of Sport purchase the sports equipment to hopefully develop our sporting heroes and Olympians of the future.
“In terms of choosing the successful projects, the full assessment procedure and scoring system was published in advance. Priority was given to projects that will increase participation, that are located in areas with higher levels of socio-economic disadvantage and to organisations that did not receive significant funding under the Programme previously. In terms of how applications were scored, I am particularly pleased that an even greater emphasis was placed on encouraging increased women’s participation in sport. We remain committed to further capital investment in sport and while today’s grants relate mainly to relatively small equipment purchases, later this year we will announce the allocation of grants for capital projects under the Programme.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, Jack Chambers T.D., highlighted the diversity of projects being funded: “I want to congratulate all of the successful applicants in receipt of grant funding today, particularly the volunteers at club level who made the applications and are the lifeblood of clubs and sporting organisations all over the country. Under this year’s programme, funding is being allocated to the clubs, schools and organisations which are striving to serve all of the community and especially those groups where there are traditionally lower participation levels. There is also a particular focus on promoting and growing female participation levels across our sports.
“Apart from the pleasure we all get from watching an event like the Olympics, the health benefits associated with sports participation are well documented and we want people to have every opportunity to get involved. As well as applications from local sports clubs, I am delighted that over €2m is being provided for sports equipment for National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). Amongst the organisations to benefit under today’s grants are the FAI, Rowing Ireland, Swim Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and Special Olympics Ireland as well as dozens of others. I am also delighted that we are providing €1.4m for projects deemed to be of “regional” significance. Amongst these grantees are a number of county ladies football associations, Leinster Athletics and the Irish Homeless Street leagues.”
