21 December 2016
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
€30 million available in 2017
Fine Gael Cork South Central Senator, Jerry Buttimer, has encouraged Cork clubs and sports organisations to prepare for the Sports Capital Programme application process and register online now. t €30 million is available to develop sports infrastructure around the country in 2017.
“My Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan, has confirmed to me that €30 million is going to be made available to develop sports infrastructure around the country under the Sports Capital Programme in 2017.
“I want to see Cork clubs and organisations benefit as much as possible from this funding and so I encourage all involved to prepare the necessary paperwork for their applications in advance. Cork clubs and sports organisations looking to apply should register now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
Online applications will then be accepted from the 23rd January to the 24th February, 2017.
“I welcome Minister O’Donovan’s move to simplify the application process this year. The application form has been significantly shortened, and the Department of Sport has published a helpful guide to the application process on their dedicated Sports Capital Programme website www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. There will also be series of regional workshops in the New Year to assist applicants, which is really welcome.
“The Sports Capital Programme was re-instated by the last Fine Gael government in 2012, after it had been cut by Fianna Fáil in the wake of the economic crash. It represents an excellent value for money investment. It is crucial we invest in sport and the health of our population, particularly with obesity is on the rise. Investing in sport is good for the health of the nation, both literally and economically.
“The Programme funds: natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage); floodlighting; artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas; security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts; hurling walls and handball alleys; building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets; building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms; and non-personal equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators. It is goof for applicants to note that anything set in the ground (such as goal posts) is not considered equipment. The grant also covers other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance
“Fine Gael in Government is using our economic progress to invest in communities around the country and ensure that everyone can benefit. Sport is just one important element of this. So far this year, over €22.8 million has been paid out to 680 organisations to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment through the excellent Sports Capital Programme.”
