Sports clubs urged to register for grants
CLUBS across the North Cork region have been urged to register to be in with a chance of securing funding under the governments Sport Capital programme.
This after Cork East Labour TD Sean Sherlock confirmed that the next round of the initiative will open in the New Year, offering groups a chance to share in a windfall for planned projects.
Budget 2017 saw the reintroduction of the Sports capital programme, with the government setting aside €52 million, money that can be spent on buying equipment, refurbishing existing facilities and building new ones such as all-weather pitches, floodlights and dressing rooms.
Deputy Sherlock said Sports Minister Patrick O’Donovan had confirmed in the Dáil that the programme would be open to registered groups from January.
He urged interested bodies to immediately submit their details to the Online Sports Capital Register (OSCAR) at www. sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
The registration process is straight-forward, with applicants asked to full in a simple form. The form includes a section relating to a tax registration number. In the event that potential applicants may not have one, they can be obtained through Revenue.ie.
“The initiative will meet all existing commitments under previous rounds of the Sports Capital and Local Authority Swimming Pool programmes,” Deputy Sherlock confirmed.
He said the North Cork region had traditionally done well out of the programme, with dozens of groups across the region having secured money for vital works.
“I have seen at first hand the benefits that this initiative has had for bodies in terms of expanding facilities within local communities. With this in mind, I would urge people to get their applications in as soon as possible,” said Deputy Sherlock.