IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL Minister Brennan Announces Sports Capital Programme for 2008

Mr. Séamus Brennan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism announced today (Friday, 11th January 2008) the opening of the 2008 Sports Capital Programme, which will be formally advertised in the national press on Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th of January.

Welcoming the opening of the programme Minister Brennan stated "I am delighted to be able to announce the 2008 Sports Capital Programme. The Sports Capital Programme is the main vehicle for Government support for the building of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment with over 6,700 projects assisted since 1998. Practically every town and village has benefited from sports capital funding with allocations since 1998 totalling €675 million."

Sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level as well as VECs and local authorities are invited to apply under the programme. The deadline for paper based applications is 5pm on Friday 29th February. Applicants using the Department's online system have until 5pm on Friday 7th March.

Further details of the scheme and application forms will be available from the Department's website, http://193.178.1.186/grants_funding/default.htm, from Monday the 14th of January or by calling 1890 273000 ext. 7372, 7338, 7304 or 7369.