The future development of County Clare’s sports and recreational infrastructure has been put on hold as a result of the discontinuation of grant aid under the National Lottery-funded Sports Capital Programme.That is according to Ennis West Election candidate for Clare County Council, Mr. Tom McNamara who said that dozens of community projects across County Clare had been stalled because of the Government’s decision not to make funding available in 2009. Mr. McNamara, who is actively involved with Kilmaley GAA Club in providing state-of-the-art community facilities and playing pitches in the heart of Kilmaley Parish, said that despite the tight budgetary situation, the Government should consider some allocation for this year.
Commenting on the benefits of the Sports Capital Programme, he stated, “Since 1998, the Programme has been the primary vehicle for promoting the development of sports and recreational facilities throughout Ireland. Locally, the scheme has transformed the sporting landscape of Clare with improved facilities in virtually every village and town. The facilities funded range from new equipment for the smallest clubs to large sports and amenity facilities.”
Mr. McNamara pointed out that the development of County Clare’s sports and recreational infrastructure would come to a standstill if the Government did not immediately reverse its funding decision. The community activist continued, “Quite simply, the vast majority of positive developments that have taken place within sports and clubs organisations throughout the County in recent years would not have happened had they not been supported through the Sports Capital Programme. The grant aid provided since the programme’s inception has supplemented the funds raised by communities to enable projects to be undertaken and completed. The discontinuation of this grant scheme means that the delivery of projects such as the Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park, Ennistymon Recreation & Leisure Centre, Mullagh Sports Field, Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Project and the Tulla Soccer Club complex is unlikely to be repeated in the near future.”
Mr. McNamara pointed out that the funding cuts have also had a negative effect on employment in communities throughout Clare. “I am aware of numerous sports and amenity projects that have been put on hold as a result of a lack of available funding under the Sports Grants Programme. It should be noted that the commencement of work on these projects would potentially create hundreds of much needed jobs in the construction industry. Therefore, by reintroducing grant aid the Government would be investing not only in communities but also in the wider economy,” he commented.
“The national lottery-funded Programme has played a major role in the development of sport in County Clare by allocating funding towards the provision of sports facilities and, in doing so, thereby assisting the fantastic efforts of both the volunteers who are the backbone of sport and also the many thousands who play sport, at whatever level. I urge the Government and our Oireachtas representatives to consider the restoration of funds under the Programme,” concluded Mr. McNamara.
Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by the Department of the Arts, Sports and Tourism, funding is allocated towards the provision of sports facilities at national, regional and local levels. Over 7,400 projects providing a range of essential sports facilities have benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocation in that time to over EUR725 million.
Tom McNamara is a Fianna Fáil candidate in the Ennis West Election for Clare County Council. He has played a leading role in the development of community services for mental health in Clare and has been a community activist in the Parish of Kilmaley for the past 20 years. He was heavily involved in setting up 'Meitheal' (Kilmaley Development Association), of which he was Chairperson for 7 years. Mr. McNamara is the first Kilmaley person to contest a local election since 1979. For more see www.votetommac.com.
