The Donegal Sports Partnership has been allocated €78,750 under the new Participation Nation Outdoor Fund.
The allocation is part of a €2.26 million package designed to support the purchase and installation of permanent sport infrastructure that can be placed on public land for community use announced by Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne.
Donegal Sports Partnership’s share of the national fund will be invested in the following projects – Dungloe to Glenties N56 Greenway, Creeslough to Falcarragh (North-West) route, the Lifford to Castlefin Greenway (7.5 km) route, the Finn Valley in East Donegal route and McGlinchey and Ballymacool Town Parks in Letterkenny.
Welcoming the allocation, Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue, said: “This funding is aimed at assisting Donegal Sports Partnership in its efforts to spur physical activity in local community settings through the funding of omni gyms, hybrid bikes and hand cycles and various pieces of equipment.
“There will be free access to this equipment, and this will enhance physical activity opportunities for those marginalised within the community.
“I extend my thanks to the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD for his work on this programme. Thanks also to the team at Donegal Sports Partnership for their work on the local projects that will benefit from the new Participation Outdoor Fund.
Donegal Fine Gael election candidate John McNulty, also welcomed the allocation.
He said “I am delighted again today to see this Fine Gael-led Government allocating funds to local sports here in Donegal.
“This fund is designed to spur physical activity in local community settings by supporting Local Sports Partnerships with the development of barrier-free sport projects on publicly-accessible land.
“I want to thank the Donegal Sports Partnership for its continued work in increasing sports participation across the county.
“Since its foundation in 2001, the local partnership through a series of initiatives including Active Donegal and Active Schools, has brought the importance and relevance of sport and healthy living to thousands of people through sports groups and schools.
“Sport plays a huge role in daily life in Donegal and if I am fortunate enough to be elected at the General Election, it is an area I plan to campaign for even more funding to help all our people live physically active lives.”
