Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has confirmed that €30 million is available to develop sports infrastructure around the country, and has encouraged Wicklow clubs and sports organisations to prepare for the application process and register online now.
“My Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan, has confirmed to me that €30 million is going to be made available to develop sports infrastructure around the country under the Sports Capital Programme in 2017.
“I want to see Wicklow clubs and organisations benefit as much as possible from this funding and so I encourage all involved to prepare the necessary paperwork for their applications in advance. Wicklow clubs and sports organisations looking to apply should register now at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
Online applications will then be accepted from the 23rd January to the 24th February, 2017.
“I welcome Minister O’Donovan’s move to simplify the application process this year. The application form has been significantly shortened, and the Department of Sport has published a helpful guide to the application process on their dedicated Sports Capital Programme website www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. There will also be series of regional workshops in the New Year to assist applicants, which is really welcome.
“The Sports Capital Programme was re-instated by the last Fine Gael government in 2012, after it had been cut by Fianna Fáil in the wake of the economic crash. It 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.
“The Programme funds: natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage); floodlighting; artificial sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas; security fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts; hurling walls and handball alleys; building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets; building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms; and non-personal equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators. It is goof for applicants to note that anything set in the ground (such as goal posts) is not considered equipment. The grant also covers other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance
“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 to 680 organisations to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment through the excellent Sports Capital Programme.”
Andrew Doyle Minister of State for Food Forestry and Horticulture welcomes the extension of the Protecting Uplands and Rural Environments (Pure) Project in Wicklow. This project protects Wicklow’s uplands by significantly reducing litter levels from illegally dumped waste in the region. The project has secured over €115,000 of funding per year until 2019 from the Environment Fund with the support of Wicklow County Council, Coilte, Bord Failte, The National Parks and Wildlife Service and Wicklow Uplands Council.