The Scheme will be open to the affiliated clubs of Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Bodies (NGBs). The fund offers every club affiliated with a Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Body an opportunity to provide inclusive programmes and supports for people with a disability.

The fund will support the initiation or enhancement of disability specific activities within grassroots sports clubs. Clubs will apply directly to their NGB for funding. NGBs will in turn submit a consolidated application on behalf of its club network to Sport Ireland.

 Clubs can apply for funding of between €1,000 and €5,000 to support the following areas:

1. Disability Supports Education & Training
2. Disability Supports Programme Activation and Delivery
3. Disability Supports Small Scale Equipment and Infrastructure.

Speaking about the Dormant Accounts Funding, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD, said:

“The NGB Club Fund being launched today responds directly to the commitment made in the Sport Action Plan 2021-2023 that I launched last November. Helping the sports sector, especially the club network, to recover from the damage caused by the pandemic is one of my top priorities alongside the promotion of a “sport-for-all” ethos across the sector. There’s €2million being set aside under this new Fund and it presents a great opportunity for sports clubs everywhere to consider how they might make their sport even more accessible for people in their communities, especially those with a disability. Sport can offer so many benefits to people’s health and wellbeing and we need to make that a reality on the ground for more and more people.”

Funding guidelines will be distributed directly to all eligible Sport Ireland recognised NGBs. The closing date for applications from NGBs to Sport Ireland will be Monday, September 1st, 2022. It is anticipated that an announcement of funding allocations will be made by December 2022. All club enquires in relation to the ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund should be made directly to the relevant Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Body.

The ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund is part of a broader €4 million Dormant Accounts Fund investment programme that aims to support the delivery of the Government’s ‘Sport for All’ initiative along with Sport Ireland’s Diversity & Inclusion, Disability and Women in Sport Policies.

Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of Sport Ireland commented:

“Today’s announcement of the investment package for Dormant Accounts Funding will allow for exciting initiatives and projects that will promote sport and physical activity in society. The continuation of this funding will go a long way to having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities across Ireland.”.

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland Dr. Una May added:

“The Dormant Account Funding has given NGBs and sports clubs in Ireland the opportunity to get new programmes and initiatives off the ground that may not have been possible without this injection of funding. The investment means more opportunities within sports and clubs become possible, with our NGB’s and their members benefiting in return. I want to thank the government once again for this approved funding which will be of major benefit to the sports sector.”