Sports Capital Programme Opens for Applications

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD, today announced that €40 million is being made available in 2021 under a new round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).

The SCEP is the government’s primary vehicle for providing support to sports clubs and communities to develop sports infrastructure around the country. Applications can be made online only from 9am on Friday 11 December until 5pm on Friday 12 February, 2021.

Minister Martin stated:

"The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasised how important sport is to our society. As well as the pleasure and excitement generated by watching our sporting heroes, actively engaging in sport is critical for our physical and mental wellbeing. To allow as many people participate as possible, it is essential to have appropriate sports facilities and equipment available. To assist in this regard, I am delighted that we are making €40 million available for sports clubs and community groups right across the country.

"Recent findings have noted that the gender gap in active participation in sport is now at its lowest level, according to data published by Sport Ireland. The government is committed to prioritising increasing female involvement in sport as participants, coaches, referees and administrators. The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme will help that important aim. Furthermore, it will boost participation in disadvantaged areas and ensure that those in every part of society can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of sport and exercise."

The Minister of State with responsibility for Sport, Jack Chambers, urged all sports organisations with suitable projects to get ready to make an application.

The Minister said:

"If we are to achieve our ambitious targets in relation to sports participation we need to continue to invest in facilities and particularly target areas with lower levels of participation.

"The new programme will again prioritise applications from disadvantaged areas, applications which will increase participation including female participation and disabled users and those which share facilities with other users and the wider community.

"It has been a tough year for many sports clubs as a result of the COVID-19 crisis but the new round of the programme now provides an opportunity for clubs to make real improvements to their facilities. We also want to make the applications process as user-friendly as possible so all of the improvements from an applicant’s perspective which were trialed in recent rounds are being retained for this round."

The first step in obtaining a grant is to register on the department’s online system. The Ministers encouraged any clubs which are not already registered to do so now. Clubs can now register on the department’s online system at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Once registered, all applications must be made on the same website.

The system will be open for applications from 11 December to 12 February 2021.

The “Guide to Making an Application” was also published on the department’s website today.