Mayo clubs encouraged to apply for Sports Energy Support Scheme
Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon is encouraging local sports groups to apply for funding under the Sports Energy Support Scheme, which has been announced in response to the rising energy cost crisis.
Sport Ireland opened the application process for €35 million of funding, which was secured as part of Budget 2023. This scheme is designed to support national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) and their affiliated clubs with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport throughout the winter period.
Commenting on the opening of the application process, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, said: “Sports clubs and national governing bodies form the backbone of many communities across Ireland and this government is steadfast in our support for these organisations. For this reason we are rolling out the Energy Support Scheme, which we are confident will be of enormous help to those who access it.”
Deputy Dillon, who is the Fine Gael spokesperson on tourism and sport, added: “We all know the many benefits that involvement in sport and physical activity bring to individuals and communities. Grassroots clubs as well as national governing bodies are key components of the sports sector and this scheme will help to ensure clubs and communities can keep their floodlights on, sports halls heated and cover a range of energy-related costs over the colder, darker winter months.”
The CEO of Sport Ireland, Una May, commented: “We are delighted to announce details of this Energy Support Scheme aimed at supporting our national governing bodies and their clubs at a time of need and, along with various support schemes announced and rolled out during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, it shows the commitment of the government to supporting a robust sports sector.”
Funding guidelines have been disseminated to all Sport Ireland-funded NGBs. The closing date for applications from these organisations will be Friday, November 25.
Clubs affiliated to Sport Ireland-funded NGBs should engage directly with their relevant NGB with any queries they may have in relation to the scheme.
Depending on the level of submissions, the outcome of those deliberations will be communicated to NGBs in December. NGBs will begin the disbursement of this funding to their relevant clubs and affiliate organisations from January 2023 onwards.
Sport Ireland will retain a portion of the overall funding to address any anomalies or unknown need that may arise in NGBs in the new year, or in relation to community sports facilities (e.g. swimming pools, community facilities not specifically affiliated to NGBs) which do not qualify for TBESS or other support schemes through DRCD or the local authorities. Further enquiries in this regard should be made directly to ngb@sportireland.ie.