More than €70,000 has been provided to help Clare sports clubs offset losses and face other challenges posed by the pandemic, Deputy Joe Carey announced today.
A total of €70,276.38 has been allocated to 75 sports clubs across the county under the Local Sports Partnership Small Grant Scheme.
Welcoming the funding, Deputy Carey said: “I am delighted that an unprecedented funding package of 85 million has been put in place for the Irish sport sector, which will help local groups in Clare in what has been a difficult year with much activity stalled due to Covid-19.
“The funding being allocated by Sport Ireland will address the existential threat to National Governing Bodies and their club networks, and local sports organisations in Clare.
“Through the Local Sports Partnership Small Grant Scheme, 75 clubs in Clare will be allocated funding of €70,276.38.
“This scheme provides an additional mechanism to support community groups & clubs who may not be affiliated to a national organisation or but provide a vital local service. The primary aim of the grants is to cover the costs associated with implementing Covid-19 hygiene and social distancing protocols.”
More than €64 million of funding has been allocated to National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded bodies across four key schemes.
Deputy Carey added: “An Emergency Fund to the value of €5.8 million has been ring-fenced to offset losses incurred by sports organisations during the current Level 5 restrictions and the remaining period of 2020.
“Sport Ireland was in a position to meet the requests of National Governing Bodies for their club networks to the tune of €9.7 million, and an additional €5 million will also be invested in the GAA, IRFU and FAI club networks.
“In addition to the Covid-19 fund outlined above, the Government has allocated an additional €15 million to GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association specifically for the running of the Inter-County Championships. There is also dedicated funding for disability and older adult sport.
“This has been an extremely challenging year for the sport sector but support is available, and I wish to thank the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, Catherine Martin TD and Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jack Chambers TD for their continued commitment to this area,” Deputy Carey concluded
