North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has welcomed funding for local sports groups in Cork which will assist the sector offset losses incurred and address other challenges posed by Covid-19.
Councillor O’Shea said: “I am delighted that an unprecedented funding package of €85 million has been put in place for the Irish sport sector, which will help local groups in Cork in what has been a difficult year with much activity stalled due to Covid-19. The funding being allocated by Sport Ireland will address the existential threat to National Governing Bodies and their club networks, and local sports organisations in Cork”.
Through the Cork Sports Partnership Small Grant Scheme, 155 clubs in Cork will also be allocated funding of over 174,000. Some successful clubs in North Cork include:
- Ballyclough GAA – €1,500
- Ballydesmond GAA Club – €1,100
- Ballyhea GAA – €1,500
- Banteer Ladies Gaelic Footbal Club – €1,400
- Charleville Men’s Shed – €300
- Lismire GAA Club – €850
- Lombardstown Tennis Club – €1,500
- Mallow United Special Olympics Club – €1,500
- Millstreet Camogie Club – €1,500
- Newtownshandrum GAA Club – €1,461
- St. John’s GAA Club (Millstreet) – €1,500
- Thomas Russells Juvenile GAA Club – €1,139
Cllr. O’Shea added “This scheme provides an additional mechanism to support community groups & clubs who may not be affiliated to a national organisation or but provide a vital local service. The primary aim of the grants is to cover the costs associated with implementing Covid-19 hygiene and social distancing protocols.
“A further €64,500 is being allocated to Cork Sports Partnership for sports innovation projects. This funding aims specifically to promote and develop new programmes and projects that can advance sport and physical activity in the post-Covid-19 public health era. This Government and Fine Gael is committed to the Irish sports sector and earlier this year announced funding of €70 million to protect the national sports system in Ireland. Over €64 million of funding has been allocated to National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded bodies across four key schemes”.
“An Emergency Fund to the value of €5.8 million has been ring-fenced to offset losses incurred by sports organisations during the current Level 5 restrictions and the remaining period of 2020. Sport Ireland was in a position to meet the requests of National Governing Bodies for their club networks to the tune of €9.7 million, and an additional €5 million will also be invested in the GAA, IRFU and FAI club networks.
“In addition to the Covid-19 fund outlined above, the Government has allocated an additional €15 million to GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association specifically for the running of the Inter-County Championships. There is also dedicated funding for disability and older adult sport.
“This has been an extremely challenging year for the sport sector but support is available, and I wish to thank the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, Catherine Martin TD and Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jack Chambers TD for their continued commitment to this area,” Councillor O’Shea concluded.
