There's fantastic news for local sports this morning as almost €1 million in sports equipment grants is headed to a range of sports clubs and organisations across Carlow and Kilkenny. My Green Party colleague, Minister for Sport Catherine Martin, has announced a record €26 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (‘SCEP’).
Over 900 sports groups nationally were successful in their applications for various types of equipment which will be of practical benefit to clubs and sports organisations, their members and athletes across Ireland. I'm delighted to say that 24 clubs in Kilkenny will share a total of €657,245, while 15 Carlow sports organisations will share €276,462 in sports equipment grants, ranging from a couple of thousand to tens of thousands of euro.
This is a really valuable funding programme and today's announcement will be a great boost for the clubs and their members. Sports clubs have always been at heart of our communities, and anything that helps them keep providing the space and the opportunity for people to come together and participate in healthy activities and share in the success of a local team or a local athlete has to be welcomed. Minister Catherine Martin has always recognised how important sport is to healthy communities and that’s reflected in this €26 million allocation - the largest ever allocation of grants for equipment under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
What’s particularly great to see is the variety of sports being supported today - 15 clubs in Carlow including archery, rowing, cricket and golf; and 24 clubs in Kilkenny including camogie, volleyball and kayaking. So many people will benefit directly from improved access to a range sports, and that brings wider benefits to the community at large.
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