Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have announced over €26 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (‘SCEP’).

The allocations announced today under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme are in response to equipment-only applications which sporting organisations submitted. Over 900 sports groups were successful in their applications for various types of equipment which will be of practical benefit to multiple sports organisations, their members and athletes across Ireland.

Further allocations under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, including those for capital works, and capital works tied with an equipment component, will be announced later.

Minister Martin said:

“Our sporting organisations are at the heart of our communities providing opportunities to people to participate in healthy activities and to enjoy the successes of their local teams and sporting heroes. I am delighted to confirm the largest ever allocation of grants for equipment under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. The significant funding announced today will assist a vast range of sporting organisations around the country and be a great source of support to local teams on and off the field of play. Minister Thomas Byrne and I are committed to providing continued supports to sporting organisations to increase participation in sport in communities across Ireland. I am confident that the revised allocations under the National Development Plan will also allow for significant funding to be allocated for capital works when the necessary assessments of applications are completed.”

Minister Thomas Byrne said:

“The diversity of organisations which will receive this record level of sports equipment funding illustrates the passion and interest that we have as a nation for sport in all its forms. The work done on a voluntary basis throughout the country in sports organisations is invaluable and it is only right that the Government plays its part in facilitating sporting participation and excellence across the country. In an Olympic year it is appropriate that we illustrate the Government’s commitment to sport and participation through strong investment in the facilities and equipment needed. I look forward to confirming further capital funding for the sport sector under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.”

Full details of all allocations announced today are set out on the department’s website.

Offaly Sports Partnership welcomes the provisional allocation made to clubs in Offaly under this scheme; check the allocations out below...

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas and groups that are currently underrepresented in terms of participation.
• Examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the 2023 Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round and the total funding applied for is €359 million representing an 80% increase over the amount applied for in the 2020 SCEP.
• Work will now commence on assessing the “capital” applications with the allocations to be announced later in the year.