From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, today (10 May 2023) reopened the application process for the Sports Energy Support Scheme. The purpose of the €35 million Fund, which was secured as part of Budget 2023, is to support the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport.
Minister Martin said:
“I am acutely aware of the effect that rising energy costs have had on sports clubs and organisations throughout the country and, for this reason, Minister Byrne and I are reopening the application process and extending the eligibility period to the end of May. The government is committed to sustainably growing participation levels in all sports, across all sectors of society and this funding will enable continued access to sports facilities, so vital of course to health and wellbeing in communities.”
In addition, Minister Byrne said:
“The reopening of the Sports Energy Support Scheme demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to supporting our sports clubs and facilities across the country. To date, €21 million in government funding has been distributed under Phase I of the Scheme. This funding has significantly alleviated the impact of increased energy costs on sports clubs and organisations and allowed them to continue to provide access to sport and physical activity over the winter months.
"I urge all eligible sports organisations, clubs and facility providers to engage with your respective National Governing Body or Local Sports Partnership to ensure that you avail of your full entitlements under Phase II of the scheme.”
Sports clubs and organisations which received funding under Phase I of the Scheme, for the period up to 31 March, are now eligible to apply for funding of their energy costs for April and May 2023.
In addition, sports clubs and organisations which did not previously make an application during Phase I, are able to make an application for funding.
Under Phase II, community-owned sports facilities not specifically affiliated to an NGB or who do not currently qualify for TBESS or other government schemes, can now engage with their Local Sports Partnership (LSP) to ascertain if they are eligible to qualify for funding. This aims to ensure maximum support is provided to grassroots sport.
The closing date for applications to the Sports Energy Support Scheme is Friday, 26 May 2023.
Depending on the level of submissions, the outcome of those deliberations will be communicated to NGBs and LSPs in July 2023, with the distribution of funding commencing shortly afterwards.
Funding guidelines have been disseminated to all relevant NGBs and LSPs.
All queries should be directed to the relevant Sport Ireland Recognised National Governing Body of Sport or Local Sports Partnership.
To date, €19.2 million has been distributed through Sport Ireland Recognised National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) to support over 2,000 affiliated clubs and facilities. In addition, €1.8 million of funding was provided to the National Sports Campus, bringing the total amount of funding distributed by Sport Ireland to date to €21 million.