Louth is set to benefit from the largest ever investment in sports facilities after Green Party Sports Minister Catherine Martin announced a 50% increase in funding for sports clubs earlier today.
The €250m that will go to sports clubs across the country is a record sum and will help to recognise areas with large populations, help those with disabilities and prevent climate change.
While individual clubs will be named at a later date, the record amount means most sports clubs are set to get significant increases in funding.
Welcoming the funding, Green Party Candidate for Drogheda Rural Anthony Murphy said;
“This funding is great news for Drogheda and South Louth and will be of enormous help to our local clubs and sports groups.
“Sports clubs are at the heart of our local community and increasing funding by 50% in one year shows the Green Party is serious about supporting sports. This is the largest ever sports investment and will bring our clubs to the next level of quality.”
“This programme has already supported 13,000 projects since 1998 and improved the quality of sports facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The funding announced represents a 50% increase on the funding allocated in early 2022.
“This funding follows the announcement earlier this month that grants of over €26m were awarded to over 900 sports groups for upgrading their equipment.”
Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Fianna Faíl’s Thomas Byrne T.D., said:
“I know that every club and sporting organisation who applied under the 2023 round of the Sports Capital Programme have been eagerly anticipating confirmation regarding their applications. Earlier this month I was pleased to confirm the equipment grants to organisations across the country and to over fifty sports and activities.
“Further individual allocations, including those for capital works and capital works with an equipment component, will be announced in the autumn. The funding confirmed today represents a 50% increase on the funding allocated under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and it should mean positive allocation decisions for all valid applications under the current 2023 Programme.
“As a Government, we are delivering record budgets for sport, as we work to provide everyone, of every ability, with an opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. I look forward to confirming individual allocations later in the year.”
