Sports Capital Grant Scheme 2017 Now Open

The 2017 Sports Capital Programme Opens on Monday 23 January 2017

The 2017 Sports Capital Programme will be open for applications from 9am on Monday 23 January 2017

Cork Athletics Clubs and Divisions

Cork Athletics clubs and Divisions are advised to examine the scheme and consider making an application. Unfortunately, for the most part, Capital Grant, means that Clubs and Divisions must have premises or grounds to best avail of these grants, and, sadly most clubs either rent or have use of another organistaions facilities.

In spite of this, it would be unwise to ignore the Grant Scheme - you don't get what you don't ask for - "A silent priest never won a parish"

€30M Sports Capital Grant scheme for improved sports facilities and equipment

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross T.D and the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan T.D., announced that €30m is being made available under the Sports Capital Programme to develop sports infrastructure around the country. In this regard, online applications will be accepted from the 23rd of January to the 24th of February, 2017. Clubs not previously registered on the Department's online application system need to do so in advance of this date and Ministers encouraged clubs to register now. The guide to make an application was also published on the Department's Sports Capital Programme website, www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie

Minister Shane Ross

Minister Ross stated “I am delighted that this funding is being made available. The Sports Capital Programme aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to developing sport and recreation facilities and it has transformed the sporting landscape of Ireland with improvements in the quality and quantity of sporting facilities in virtually every village, town and city in the country. The new €30 million programme provides an opportunity for further improvements and I would urge all organisations with a suitable project to consider making an application”.

Minister of State, Patrick O’Donovan

The Minister of State, Patrick O’Donovan highlighted some of the changes to the terms of the new programme. “The Programme for Government contains the aim of allocating sports capital grants on an annual basis and since being given responsibility for sport, I have been struck by the huge level of interest in the Sports Capital Programme across so many different sporting disciplines. I was determined to make the application process as simple as possible and in this regard we have significantly shortened the application form, issued new guides for completing the form and my Department is also arranging a series of regional workshops in the new year to assist applicants. The upcoming holiday period provides a good opportunity for clubs to get registered on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie, familiarise themselves with the guide and undertake any other preparatory work in advance of formally submitting their application”.

Clubs who wish to register on the department's online system can do so now, on OSCAR - Online Sports Capital Register

Once registered, all applications must be made on the same website.

The system will be open for applications from 23rd of January. A guide to making an application and a link to YouTube video instructions is also available on the website.

Information and Guides

The 2017 guide to filling out the online application form, including the terms and conditions.

YouTube Guide to Making an Application

YouTube Guide to Registration

Download Blank Sample Application Form

General Information

The sports capital programme is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment

The Programme Funds:

Natural grass sports pitches, tracks and courts (including pitch drainage)
Floodlighting
Artifical sports pitches, tracks, courts and multi-use games areas
Secruity fencing, ball stop netting and goal posts
Hurling walls/handball alleys
Building or refurbishment of dressing rooms, showers and toilets
Building or refurbishment of sports halls and gyms
Non-personal equipment including lawn mowers and defibrillators. Anything set in the ground (such as goal posts)
Any other capital projects that are clearly sporting in nature, and that will increase participation in sport or improve performance