REVEALED: The Louth sports clubs to receive over €500k

Over half a million euro has been allocated to sports clubs in Louth under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (‘SCEP’).

The allocations announced under the programme are in response to equipment-only applications which sporting organisations submitted. 

Nationally, over 900 sports groups were successful in their applications for various types of equipment which will be of practical benefit to multiple sports organisations, their members and athletes across Ireland.

Further allocations under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, including those for capital works, and capital works tied with an equipment component, will be announced later. 

Louth groups that received funding included:

Local Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd, welcomed the news saying “I’m absolutely thrilled to see so many clubs in Louth and East Meath receive this much needed funding, this funding will assist the successful clubs purchase vital pieces of equipment to help the clubs grow and expand in communities across Louth and East Meath.

“I want to wish all of the clubs well and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the amazing volunteers involved, sporting volunteers are the backbone of clubs and communities across the country.”

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan also welcomed the allocation saying: “It is fantastic to see the time and effort put in every week by club members and volunteers in Louth be rewarded with this grant funding.

“The grants will go towards funding critical equipment and upgrades for clubs, such as the upgrading of sports equipment and new lawn mower equipment.

“I want to thank the volunteers and club members in our county for the invaluable work they do at the very heart of our communities.

“The grants announced today reflect the priority Fianna Fáil in Government places on encouraging and facilitating sporting participation and excellence across the country.”

Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, announced over €26 million in equipment grants nationally and said: 

“Our sporting organisations are at the heart of our communities providing opportunities to people to participate in healthy activities and to enjoy the successes of their local teams and sporting heroes. 

“I am delighted to confirm the largest ever allocation of grants for equipment under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. The significant funding announced today will assist a vast range of sporting organisations around the country and be a great source of support to local teams on and off the field of play. 

“Minister Thomas Byrne and I are committed to providing continued supports to sporting organisations to increase participation in sport in communities across Ireland. 

“I am confident that the revised allocations under the National Development Plan will also allow for significant funding to be allocated for capital works when the necessary assessments of applications are completed.”