€39.67m given to sports groups

A total of €39.67 million in funding towards sporting facilities for 591 organisations was announced yesterday by the Minister…

A total of €39.67 million in funding towards sporting facilities for 591 organisations was announced yesterday by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue.

Co Dublin received the most significant amount under the Sports Capital Programme, with €9.7million allocated to 95 organisations, including GAA clubs and soccer, tennis, boxing, swimming and rugby organisations.

The Minister's native Kerry is among the counties which received most funding, with an allocation of almost €3 million to 47 sporting organisations.

In Dublin, the Na Fianna GAA club received the largest allocation of €450,000, followed by €400,000 for Corduff Community Facilities and €350,000 for Associated Bluebell Communities.

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Other Dublin groups which received funding include the Garda Boat Club, Ballybough Community Centre and Drumcondra Schoolboys Football Club.

Co Cork received €3.2 million in funding for 64 organisations including the Goleen and District Community Council,Muskerry Rugby Football Club and Castletownbere GAA Club.

The projects funded include multi-purpose sports halls, community recreation halls, tennis courts, hockey pitches and dressing rooms. Smaller sums were allocated towards sports and recreational equipment.

Yesterday's announcement of the allocations follows a public advertisement which led to 1,334 applications.

Mr O'Donoghue said the announcement gave effect to the commitment in the Programme for Government to invest in sports facilities throughout the State.

The allocation brings the total sum spent by the current Government and its predecessor under the programme to to €253 million for 3,500 projects.

Further announcements of funding under the programme for projects of major significance would be made next month, the Minister added.