Sports Capital Programme 2017 is to commence no later than January 2017

Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and TD for Dun Laoghaire constituency, has welcomed the news that applications for the 2017 round of Sports Capital Grant funding will open in the near future.”

“This week in the Seanad, the Minister of State for Sport Patrick O’Donovan confirmed that the application process for the Sports Capital Programme for 2017 will be open by January at the latest. “

“Clubs and organisations will be given a number of weeks to complete the application process, but they should start preparing for their application now. The only way to apply for grants under the Sports Capital Programme is the OSCAR (Online Sports Capital Register) which is accessible at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie All applicant clubs and organisations require a Tax Registration Number (TRN) for their particular club/organisation. It is not permitted to use the TRN of a national governing body or other organisation.”

“Minister O’Donovan will be announcing more comprehensive details of the new round shortly, including the relevant deadline dates. For an application to be successful clubs and organisations must contribute a proportion of the project costs from their own funds, and submit a large amount of supporting documentation and so it takes some time to be prepared. “

“Many clubs and organisations in Dún Laoghaire and surrounding areas benefitted from large grants under the Programme including Blackrock College RFC, Cuala GAA, Dalkey Scuba Divers, Monkstown FC and St. Michael’s Rowing Club. A great many smaller clubs and organisations in the constituency have also benefitted over the years.”

“The Sports Capital Programme was re-instated by the last Fine Gael government in 2012, after they’d been cut by Fianna Fáil in the wake of the economic crash. I was delighted to hear it confirmed in Budget 2017 that the grants would resume again next year. The sports capital programme 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.”

“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 through the excellent Sports Capital Programme to 680 organisations across the country in order to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment.”