Sport Ireland has today opened the application process for €35 million of funding in response to the rising energy costs crisis.
The purpose of the funding, which was secured as part of Budget 2023, is 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, North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea said “Grassroots clubs as well as National Governing Bodies are key components of the sports sector and I am happy the Government is able to support them through the Energy Support Scheme. This 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 Energy Support Scheme is 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 25th 2022.
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, 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
