Almost €2million Dormant Funds to encourage greater sports participation among disadvantaged youth
Nearly €2m Dormant Funds to Encourage Increased Participation in Sport among Disadvantaged Young People
Noel Ahern, Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, ةamon س Cuيv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and John O’Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism today announced that the Government has approved an allocation of almost €2m from the Dormant Accounts Fund to encourage increased participation in sport and physical activity among disadvantaged young people.
This measure prioritises proposals relating to sports in which significant numbers of those in disadvantaged communities have traditionally chosen to participate. It also supports proposals demonstrating an ability to support increased sports participation among disadvantaged young people. In total 781 projects throughout the country will benefit from grants ranging from €500 to €10,000. A variety of sporting activities for disadvantaged young people will be supported, including funding for coaching, training, provision of equipment, outings to activity centres etc.
The funding will be distributed through 33 Local Sports Partnerships whose knowledge and expertise was called upon in identifying worthy projects throughout the country.
Announcing today’s allocation, Minister Ahern said, “In meeting the challenge of focusing the minds of our young people on healthy and positive pursuits as opposed to the many detrimental influences vying for their attention, the importance of sport cannot be over-estimated. The availability of sporting opportunities has proven to be vital in harnessing the energy of youth and providing the platform for many young people to grow and develop individually and socially. This measure strives to ensure that our young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are encouraged and supported to participate in a variety of sporting pursuits to be available locally nationwide. I expect that this initiative will increase participation numbers in healthy sporting pursuits and also provide a boost to some of the minority sports which have traditionally been popular in areas of disadvantage throughout the country.”
Minister س Cuيv said, “This funding will have far-reaching effects in that it will provide support to 781 local clubs and groups around the country. Clubs like these not only provide facilities for young people, they also strengthen the community spirit and sense of belonging.”
Minister O’Donoghue said, “I warmly welcome this announcement of funding to encourage increased participation in sport among disadvantaged young people. This Government recognises the value of sport in fostering a sense of community and purpose and is fully committed to providing for sustained investment in sport. The budget for sport has been dramatically increased with €295 million being provided in 2007, compared to €17 million in 1997. This increased investment has resulted in a considerably enhanced range and quality of facilities being made available for our young people in local community clubs and centres throughout the country. This further allocation of dormant accounts funding and the projects it will fund will provide a further incentive for participation in sport by young people.”
Disbursements from the Dormant Accounts Fund target three broad categories of persons:
• those affected by economic and social disadvantage;
• those affected by educational disadvantage; and
• persons with a disability.
Today’s announcement comes under the heading of economic and social disadvantage and it brings the allocations approved by Government from the Dormant Accounts Fund since the beginning of 2006 to almost €50million in support of some 2,750 groups and organisations. Further announcements are anticipated over the coming months.
For Further Info:
Issued by the Press & Information Office of the Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs
Tel: 01 647 3130 Fax: 01 667 0826 Layla de Cogan Chin 087 6842755
Email: eolas@pobail.ie Web: www.pobail.ie
A full list of allocations by county is attached below.