1,996 grants with a total value of €230 million for new and improved sports facilities and equipment throughout Ireland were announced on Wednesday, September 25 under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
The funding allocations are split into three categories - equipment applications (€3,791,906), local projects (€179,000,000), and regional projects (€47,500,000).
Ireland's Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media said on Wednesday that the €230 million allocation follows May’s allocation of €26 million for sports equipment, which brings the total investment in community sport and recreation in 2024 to an unprecedented €256 million. This is a 50% increase on the funding allocated in early 2022 under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
"Over 40 separate sports, as well as multi-sport facilities throughout the country, will benefit from the community sport grants announced today," the Department said.
The Department added that each application was assessed under criteria "including population density, deprivation and access to facilities;" unsuccessful applicants can appeal any grant applications deemed invalid.
Today, Ministers @cathmartingreen and @ThomasByrneTD were joined by Minister Paschal Donohoe at @CambridgeFC11 in Ringsend to announce funding of €230m in grants for sports clubs and facilities across the country.
Lá mór inniu ag Club Sacair Cambridge FC sa Rinn i mBÁC! pic.twitter.com/FujoHXhZYa
— Tourism-Culture-Arts-Gaeltacht-Sport-Media (@DeptCultureIRL) September 25, 2024
Irreland's Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD were joined by Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, at Cambridge FC in Ringsend to announce the record funding on Wednesday.
“Sport is vital to our sense of togetherness and community, from local clubs to professional and high-performance teams and athletes," Minister Martin said on Wednesday.
"Each and every one of these grants represents a project that will create a new or improved opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in sport to the best of their ability.
"Clubs will be better able to serve their communities with the help of this fund. For example, 194 clubs are getting funding to install solar panels, 317 clubs are getting funding for LED floodlights and 966 projects will include improvements to pitches.
“These vital improvements and new facilities will add to the equipment allocations announced earlier this year to ensure that more people than ever have access to the sports they love in their local areas.”
A record €230m for Community Sports Facilities📢
Almost 2,000 grants approved for new or improved sports facilities across the country
Bringing the total in 2024 to over a quarter of a billion Euro, all for enriching communities through sport ⚽🏑⛹️♀️ pic.twitter.com/HBy4YVwwKf
— Catherine Martin TD (@cathmartingreen) September 25, 2024
Minister Byrne said: “Over a quarter of a billion euro is being invested in sports clubs and facilities under the Community Sport Facilities Fund. This level of sports funding is unprecedented and will prove transformative for sports clubs and facilities in communities across Ireland.
"As a Government, we are committed to providing everyone, of every age and ability, with the opportunity to participate in sport and this record allocation for sport demonstrates that commitment.
"The inspiring performance of Team Ireland at the Olympics and Paralympics recently in Paris demonstrated the positive power of sport and we understand that any sporting journey begins within the community. The record funding being announced today under the Community Sport Facilities Fund underlines this Government’s continued commitment to seeing Irish sport thrive into the future.”
📣 Proud to announce the largest-ever investment in Sport!
Over a quarter of a billion is being invested in sports clubs, facilities and equipment under the Community Sport Facilities Fund.
We are working to make for Sport for All, a reality for all.
For more ➡️… pic.twitter.com/tAPqeswsgH
— Thomas Byrne (@ThomasByrneTD) September 25, 2024
Minister Donohoe said: “This Government is committed to supporting sport at all levels, from grassroots and community-level facilities right up to our high-performance athletes on the world stage.
"Sport adds so much to our lives, as spectators, beginners, or those who are excelling in their field. The mental and physical benefits are immeasurable.
"Ensuring adequate investment means that our participants have good facilities at their disposal and can train to compete to the best of their ability, whatever that is.
"After such a successful summer for our Olympians and Paralympians, it’s great to have an opportunity to underline our investment in sport for everyone, in every community across the country.”
Largest ever funding announcement for sports facilities w/ €256m invested in community sport & recreation in 2024. This money, under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, will ensure all participants have good facilities & can train to the best of their ability, whatever that is. pic.twitter.com/SQeqINId7a
— Paschal Donohoe (@Paschald) September 25, 2024
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