Return to the ‘bad old ways’ for town clubs

SENATOR Ged Nash has revealed that the percentage level of capital grants under the Co. Louth tranche which was awarded to sports clubs in Drogheda and South Louth has dramatically dropped from just under 40% of the total Louth allocation in 2015 to 22% in 2017.

He said, “In 2015 when I was at the Cabinet table I made no apologies whatsoever for ensuring that 38% of the money available to clubs in Co. Louth went to Drogheda and South Louth.

“For more years than I care to remember, there was an active policy of political discrimination against clubs in Drogheda, with an outrageous bias in favour of North Louth.

“While nine local clubs received very welcome grants last week, it seems that we are back to the bad old days in relation to the breakdown of the allocation of Sports Grants.

“Of the almost € 1.6 million euros to be distributed in Louth, just over € 350,000 has made its way to the clubs in the Drogheda area.

“I made great progress on redressing the balance in 2015. Sadly, the bias appears to have returned and Drogheda is not being treated fairly and in accordance with the number of clubs active in the area and in terms of our population.”