Clare’s Sports And Voluntary Organisations Urged To Apply For Funds Under The Sports Capital Program

The Minister said that the 2008 Programme, details of which were announced this week, offers valuable financial assistance to organisations that are considering undertaking various developments and improvement works.

"The Sports Capital Programme has proven to be hugely beneficial to sporting organisations throughout Clare in recent years", explained Minister Killeen.

The Minister continued, "The Programme allocates funding to projects that are directly related to the provision of sports facilities and are of a capital nature. The project must involve improving or building an asset or buying non-personal sports equipment that will be used for at least five years."

"The national lottery-funded Programme has played a major role in the development of sport in this county by allocating funding towards the provision of sports facilities and, in doing so, thereby assisting the fantastic efforts of both the volunteers who are the backbone of sport and also the many thousands who play sport, at whatever level", added Minister Killeen.

He said the range of different local organisations in receipt of funding, in recent years, reflected the passion and commitment of people in Clare to promoting recreational and sports activities.

"Groups and organisations have less than seven weeks to submit applications for funding to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. The deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 29th February 2008 for paper based applications and 5pm on Friday 7th March for applications made through the Department's online application system at www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie", concluded the Minister.

He urged groups making application to familiarise themselves with the conditions of eligibility, particularly in relation to local funding and planning permission, where applicable

In 2007, dozens of organisation received funding including Ennistymon Recreation & Leisure Centre, the Kiltannon-based Tulla Soccer Club, Crusheen GAA Club, Kilfenora Heritage Association, Killaloe/Ballina Tennis Club, Bodyke GAA Club, Corbally United F.C., Lisdoonvarna Fáilte, Kilmurry/Ibrickane GAA, Kilrush Shamrocks Gaelic Football Club, Cumann Peil Cuar an Chláir, Lissycasey GAA Club, Mullagh Sports Field, O'Callaghan's Mills GAA Club, Scariff GAA Club, St. Pat's AFC in Kilmihil and Scariff RFC.

-ENDS-

NOTE TO EDITOR:
Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D. Mark Dunphy
Minister of State Dunphy Public Relations
087-2525304 086-8534900