Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Sports Capital Programme Funding Recipients Announced

Clare Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has confirmed that 23 out of the 71 local sports and voluntary organisations that applied for grant aid under the newly restored Sports Capital Programme have been successful in their application.

€730,519 will be allocated to Clare clubs under the €30M Programme, which offers valuable financial assistance to organisations that are considering undertaking various developments and improvement works.

Senator Mulcahy welcomed the restoration of the Programme, which he said had proved to be hugely beneficial to sporting organisations throughout Clare before it was ceased by the previous Government in 2009.

Clare organisations and projects that have received funding under the 2012 Programme include St. Joseph's GAA Club Miltown Malbay (80000), Kilmaley GAA Club (80000), Clonlara GAA Club (70000), Clondegad GAA (50000), Clarecastle GAA Club (45000), Lifford Oldtown AFC (40000), Burren Outdoor Education Centre (40000), Scariff GAA Club (35000), Broadford Gaelic Athletic Association Club (35000), Corofin GAA Club (30000), Burren Sub Aqua Club Ltd. (30000), Clare District Soccer League (30000), Ennistymon Parish Project Community Centre Ltd. (28000), Wolfe Tones Camogie Club (24000), West Clare Sports & Fitness Club (22000), Ennis Boxing Club (20000), Park United (20000), Ballina Killaloe Rugby Football Club (14000), Castlecarraig Riding Club (10519), Tulla Athletic Club (9000), Kilnaboy Recreational Facilities Limited in conjunction with Kilnaboy N.S. (8000), Clare Cascaders Basketball Club (7000), and Judo Ennis West Club (3000).

Commenting on the restoration of the Sports Capital Programme, Senator Mulcahy stated: “Prior to being withdrawn, this vitally important community funding scheme played a major role in the development of sport in County Clare by allocating funding towards the provision of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.”

Senator Mulcahy noted that the wide range and number of local organisations that have this year received funding reflects the passion and commitment of people in Clare to promoting recreational and sports activities.

“The scheme has benefited a wider range of clubs and groups than ever before, because 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. The Government has decided that these clubs will now be able to apply for grants of up to €25,000 to upgrade facilities,” he commented.

Senator Mulcahy said that the newly restored Programme features a strong emphasis on local projects which increase active participation in sport, particularly in disadvantaged areas.  “Under this scheme pitches will be drained, floodlights will be installed, sports halls will be improved and dressing rooms will be built,” Senator Mulcahy concluded.