€10million euro’s been awarded to a range of groups across Carlow and Kilkenny under the Community Sports Facilities Fund.
Formerly known as the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, the announcement is broken into three strands – here’s the breakdown for our two counties:
It’s in addition to €1.2million announced in May for equipment;
Many politicians are welcoming the spend – Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Carlow Kilkenny Green TD Malcolm Noonan says; “The sheer scale of this round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme should mean that all valid applications received have resulted in positive allocation decisions. Across Carlow and Kilkenny that means 80 clubs, teams, schools and local authority facilities are getting very good news today, with individual grants ranging from a couple of thousand euro for equipment upgrades right up to half a million euro for all weather pitches, and this follows on from the 39 clubs that received their equipment-only grants back in May.
“This is really great news for sporting organisations across our two counties, and for their members, athletes and volunteers. As a Government, we committed to 60% overall participation in sport by 2027 and funding levels on this scale can only help to bring us closer to that goal. Following on from Ireland’s incredible success at the Olympics, today’s announcement is a significant demonstration of this Government’s commitment to the sports sector, and with this particular round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme offering larger grants, encouraging sustainability initiatives, and levelling the playing field with a focus on gender equality, it’s a reminder of the important role that sport plays in the wider community.
“Sports clubs have always been at heart of our communities, and anything that helps them keep providing the space and the opportunity for people to come together and participate in healthy activities and share in the success of a local team or a local athlete has to be welcomed. Last year I wrote to many clubs across Carlow and Kilkenny alerting them that this scheme was open and encouraging them to apply for this really key funding stream. Today I want to congratulate all the clubs that have been successful in their applications.”
Fianna Fáil TDs John McGuinness and Jennifer Murnane O’Connor have been telling KCLR News’ Martin Quilty of the allocations;
Kilkenny Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick’s been reacting to the allocation too;
