Dozens of sports club across Donegal are to benefit from a fund of more than €30 million announced by the Department of Tourism and Sport today.
The funding is part of a new round of Sports Capital funding being made available.
Nationally a fund of €30m has been earmarked to develop sporting facilities and purchase sports equipment for sports clubs and organisations throughout the length and breadth of Ireland.
In welcoming the announcement Junior Minister Dinny McGinley said “I am delighted to see that this Government has reinstated the Sports Capital Programme. It is now some 4 years since any club or voluntary organisation could source funding to improve their facilities or purchase new equipment.
“At a time when a major emphasis is being placed on getting people, more active, and encouraging them to get fit and stay fit from a young age, facilities are needed now more than ever.”
This new scheme will also be open to far more clubs and groups than ever before, as a strict requirement on landownership has been relaxed.
In the past, all applicants had to own their land or have it on a long lease.
“Clubs in these circumstances will now be able to apply for grants of up to €25,000 to upgrade facilities. In addition, the minimum amount of matching funding which clubs and organisations will need to provide themselves in order to apply for a grant has been halved from the previous round of the programme in 2008”.
Groups in CLÁR areas will only need to raise a minimum of 10% of the project cost in order to apply.
Groups in non-disadvantaged areas will only need to raise a minimum of 15% of the project cost in order to apply.
“I want to acknowledge the significant amount of additional work which I know committees at club level will embark upon now in the process of local fund raising and in fulfilling the criteria as set out by the guidelines of the scheme. Be assured that your work is valued not just by club members but also by the wider community whom you also serve.” said Minister McGinley.
Application forms and information about how to apply is available on the website: www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
