Sherlock urges Government to confirm next round of Sports Capital funding

Cork East TD Seán Sherlock has called on the Government to outline when exactly clubs and sporting organisations in East Cork can apply for the next round of Sports Capital Funding.

“Fundraising for clubs has fallen through the floor but projects and improvements in facilities are still a live issue,” said Deputy Sherlock.

“The Government had created the impression that another round of Sports Capital Funding was to be announced and clubs need to know if this funding stream will exist after Government formation.

The Sports Capital Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.

The most recent (2018) round of the Sports Capital Programme attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects.

All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. In relation to the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline. The review of these appeals was completed last month with 6 new allocations approved.

Now that the appeals process is finalised, a full review of the 2018 round of the SCP is being undertaken. A decision on the timing of the next round of the programme will be taken when this is complete.