Ministers Ross and Griffin announce Dormant Accounts Funding for Sport and Physical Activity Measures
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, recently announced an investment package of €4.2 million in Dormant Accounts Funding for a wide range of sport and physical activity measures countrywide.
The investment will be administered by Sport Ireland and will aim to engage with communities across the country, focusing on people with disabilities, people who are educationally disadvantaged and from disadvantaged communities.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister Ross said: “I am delighted to announce €4.2 million in funding for sport and physical activity measures through the Dormant Accounts Fund. This funding will enable our Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies to deliver a comprehensive programme of initiatives under the National Physical Activity Plan and in line with the National Sports Policy. We are committed to giving more people the opportunity to partake in sport, with all the mental and physical benefits it brings. My Department will continue to work closely with Sport Ireland, the Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies of Sport and other funded bodies to ensure that the programme of initiatives resulting from this funding is inclusive, accessible and regionally balanced.”
Minister Griffin added: “The Dormant Accounts Funding has been vital to the growth of community and social cohesion through sport in disadvantaged areas around the country. The investment will support the continuation of this work but will also see the implementation of new initiatives and programmes which will further contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and communities.”
Among the successful Dormant Accounts Fund projects announced are six new Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs, with additional funding for 30 existing Hubs.
Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of Sport Ireland said: “Sport Ireland is delighted with the continued investment of Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs. These hubs play a key role in bringing people together and providing a home for local clubs and sports organisations. The announcement of six new Hubs with additional funding for 30 existing Hubs is very welcomed, making it easier for people to get involved in sport and lead a more active life.”
Highlighting new initiatives funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, commented: “Key to the work of Sport Ireland is the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to partake in sport, no matter what their circumstances. The Dormant Accounts Funding will enable Sport Ireland, supported by the network of Local Sports Partnerships and the National Governing Bodies for Sport, to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities.”
As with previous funding announced, the investment is closely aligned with the National Sports Policy and the National Physical Activity Plan. A particular emphasis is placed on implementing programmes to promote physical activity, making sport and physical activity accessible to people with a disability and the development of programmes to address transitions and drop out from physical activity.
Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr. Una May, highlighted the impact of the projects funded to date: “Collaborative initiatives across the sports sector and capacity building programmes continue to have a positive impact on local communities. Programmes such as Youth Leadership offers specialised Sports Leadership training for young people providing a stepping stone into employment and also into further education or training. The programme, along with the dedicated Volunteer Training & Support Programme will develop trained volunteers who can assist with the delivery of sport and recreation initiatives within their community. As highlighted in the recent Irish Sports Monitor 2019 Mid-Year Report, volunteerism in sport is increasing with over 875,000 adults having volunteered during the past year. Volunteerism has a significant and positive impact on the volunteers and their local communities and it is great to see the continued investment in such programmes.”
For Further Information:
David Gash, Communications Manager, Sport Ireland
Email: dgash@sportireland.ie
Tel: 01-8608800
Caroline O’Mahony, Communications Executive, Sport Ireland
Email: comahony@sportireland.ie
Tel: 01-8608857
Breakdown of Dormant Accounts Funding:
Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs
Dormant Accounts Funding will be allocated to establish and develop six new CSPAHs, with additional funding allocated to 30 existing hubs.
The objective of the CSPAHs is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations.
The Hubs provide information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people in disadvantaged areas to get involved in and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle.
Applications to establish and develop CSPAHs were sought from Local Sports Partnerships in a competitive bid process under three theme areas: Community Setting, Schools Based Setting and an Outdoor Setting.
Local Sports Partnership
New CSPAH Location |
Funding |
Carlow
Bagenalstown |
€66,700 |
Clare
Kilrush |
€63,700 |
Laois
Rathdowney Errill |
€66,700 |
Limerick
Garryowen |
€66,700 |
Monaghan
Ballybay |
€66,700 |
Wicklow
Arklow |
€66,900 |
Local Sports Partnership
Round 2 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
Cavan
Belturbet |
€40,000 |
Fingal
Tyrrelstown/Mulhuddart |
€45,000 |
Leitrim
Manorhamiliton |
€45,000 |
Meath
Johnstown in Navan |
€45,000 |
Waterford
Lismore, Villierstown, Cappoquin |
€45,000 |
Local Sports Partnership
Round 3 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
Cavan
Kilnaleck |
€35,000 |
Cork
Northside Cork City |
€35,000 |
Donegal
Stranorlar, Killybegs, Ballyshannon |
€35,000 |
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown
Ballyogan |
€35,000 |
Fingal
Balbriggan |
€35,000 |
Galway
Ballybane/Doughiska |
€35,000 |
Kerry
Cahersiveen |
€35,000 |
Kildare
Athy |
€35,000 |
Longford
Edgeworthstown |
€28,000 |
Mayo
Balinrobe |
€35,000 |
Meath
Windtown/Blackcastle in Navan |
€35,000 |
Sligo
Bunninadden |
€35,000 |
Local Sports Partnership
Round 4 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
Kilkenny
Kilkenny City/ Ferrybank |
€20,000 |
Laois
Stradbally, Vicarstown, Timahoe |
€20,000 |
Louth
Muirhevnamor |
€20,000 |
Offaly
Crinkle |
€20,000 |
South Dublin
Colinstown North Clondalkin |
€20,000 |
Local Sports Partnership
Round 5 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
Clare
Clarisford |
€20,000 |
Cork
West Cork Islands |
€20,000 |
Donegal
Maghery |
€20,000 |
Limerick
Croom |
€20,000 |
Mayo
Ballyhaunis |
€20,000 |
Sligo
Sligo East City- Cranmore |
€20,000 |
Tipperary
Clonmel |
€19,600 |
Waterford
Carrickphierish |
€20,000 |
Youth Leadership
This project involves the development and delivery of specialised Sports Leadership training for young people providing a stepping stone for learners into employment and also into further education or training. This programme will develop generic leadership skills that can be applied to a variety of sports and/or recreational situations as well as contributing to the personal development of the learner.
It will also assist to develop trained volunteers who can assist with the delivery of sport and recreation initiatives within their community. The initiative will provide training for young people, keeping them engaged, increasing their responsibility and developing their confidence and self-esteem and will provide an opportunity for lifelong volunteering. The programme has the potential to impact on both early school dropout in disadvantaged areas and dropout rates from sport within the targeted age group.
Local Sports Partnership | Funding |
Carlow | €12,500 |
Clare | €9,500 |
Donegal | €10,000 |
DLR | €10,000 |
Fingal | €10,000 |
Galway | €10,000 |
Laois | €10,000 |
Leitrim | €10,000 |
Limerick | €5,000 |
Longford | €12,500 |
Louth | €12,500 |
Mayo | €10,500 |
Meath | €13,500 |
Offaly | €13,500 |
Roscommon | €5,000 |
South Dublin | €13,500 |
Tipperary | €10,000 |
Westmeath | €6,000 |
Wexford | €10,000 |
Wicklow | €6,000 |
Volunteer Training & Support Programme
The volunteer supports initiative aims to successfully identify and assist targeted individuals who are volunteering in disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities to gain community sport and physical activity leadership skills e.g. as coaches, leaders, referees, committee members etc. This fund will also be used to support Community Coaching programmes or to support standalone training opportunities to support targeted volunteers. This funding stream is only open to individuals operating in a volunteer capacity within disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities. This project will contribute to the development of confidence amongst participants, and eventually in the community through the subsequent volunteer sport development work carried out by participants.
Local Sports Partnership | Funding |
Clare LSP | €7,680 |
Cork LSP | €15,000 |
Donegal LSP | €15,000 |
Dublin City LSP | €15,000 |
Galway LSP | €7,460 |
Kildare LSP | €15,000 |
Laois LSP | €9,000 |
Leitrim LSP | €10,000 |
Limerick LSP | €15,000 |
Longford LSP | €12,490 |
Mayo LSP | €9,000 |
Meath LSP | €15,000 |
Monaghan LSP | €15,000 |
Offaly LSP | €15,000 |
Sligo LSP | €15,000 |
Tipperary LSP | €15,000 |
Waterford LSP | €14,370 |
Wexford LSP | €15,000 |
Wicklow LSP | €15,000 |
Sports Inclusion Disability Programme Capital Supports
The Sports Inclusion Disability Programme Capital Supports initiative will provide capital support to the implementation of the national SIDP. The fund aims to reduce the barriers to sports participation for people with a disability through the provision of equipment and minor infrastructure. The fund can be used to purchase a range of disability sports equipment and enabling infrastructure including hoists, hand rails, fittings, mats, wheel chairs etc. Applicants were tasked to identify equipment or infrastructure works which will increase participation in sport or physical activity for people with a disability in their county.
Local Sports Partnership | Funding |
Cavan | €10,000 |
Clare | €10,000 |
Cork | €10,000 |
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown | €10,000 |
Fingal | €10,000 |
Kerry | €10,000 |
Kildare | €10,000 |
Laois | €8,500 |
Leitrim | €10,000 |
Limerick | €10,000 |
Mayo | €10,000 |
Meath | €10,000 |
Monaghan | €10,000 |
Offaly | €10,000 |
Roscommon | €5,000 |
Sligo | €10,000 |
South Dublin | €6,850 |
Tipperary | €10,000 |
Waterford | €10,000 |
Westmeath | €9,650 |
Wicklow | €10,000 |
Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives
Opportunities for young people living in disadvantaged communities to experience outdoor adventure sports is limited due to natural environments, distance from traditional outdoor settings (forests, mountains etc.) where activities are usually offered, and need for equipment, supervision, training and support to engage in these sports. The objective of the Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives is to create new opportunities for people living in disadvantaged communities to participate in outdoor adventure sports in urban settings. The programme also seeks to create new opportunities for at risk youth in disadvantaged communities and people with a disability.
Local Sports Partnership | Funding |
Cork | €33,885 |
Dublin City | €33,885 |
Kerry | €33,885 |
Kilkenny | €33,885 |
Longford | €18,385 |
Mayo | €33,885 |
Sligo | €33,885 |
Tipperary | €33,885 |
Waterford | €27,370 |
Westmeath | €33,500 |
Wexford | €33,550 |
Promoting Sporting Integrity through values based and ethical decision making education in sport
Sport Ireland is currently developing a position in respect to values-based sport and would like to further enhance this position by developing templates and education resources for stakeholders to implement values-based sport.
Project | Funding |
Promoting Sporting Integrity in sport | €80,000 |
Research into the use of behavioural science to increase participation in sport and physical activity among individuals in disadvantaged areas
This project aims to conduct research into the use of behavioural science to increase participation in sport and physical activity among individuals in disadvantaged areas. This measure is being delivered under Actions 44 (Implement and support participation programmes with a focus on disadvantaged communities) and 52 (Establish a research programme to inform policies aimed at improving PA levels in each of the target groups) of the National Physical Activity Plan. The measure is also in line with Action 10 of the National Sports Policy which commits to using behavioural science insights in the development of participation programmes targeted at low participant groups.
Project | Funding |
Behavioural Science Research | €100,000 |
Value Of Sport – National Physical Activity Promotion Campaign
The purpose of this funding is to conduct an annual evidence based national physical activity promotion campaign. The task is to create a public awareness campaign around the ‘value of sport.’ The overall goal of this project is to communicate the value of sport and the intangible emotionally-led benefits of sport. The campaign will demonstrates the positive effect that sport has on society and specifically to people with disabilities and those living in disadvantaged communities.
Project | Funding |
Value Of Sport | €75,000 |
Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs – Awareness Campaign
To support Sport Ireland’s lead role in the delivery of Action 11 and Action 14 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, a comprehensive awareness campaign will be carried out to support the work of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs.
The campaign will support the objective of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs, which is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations. It will champion the Hubs as sources of information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities to make it easier for people in disadvantaged areas to get involved in and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyles.
Project | Funding |
Community Sports Hubs – Awareness Campaign | €250,000 |
Consulting with Young People Project – Young Voices in Sport Toolkit
The aim of the Consulting with Young People Project is to give volunteers and members of staff in sporting organisations a clear understanding of what they need to do to involve their young members in decision making at every level from local sports clubs to national governing bodies. Young members of sporting organisations have the right to participate in the decisions that affect their sporting lives.
Volunteers and members of staff in sporting organisations can support the long-term engagement of their young members in the sports they love by listening to their views and acting on them. Sporting organisations that involve young members in decision-making are more relevant to them, more sustainable and more likely to thrive. By using the activities in the toolkit, it will be possible for sporting organisations to find out what in important to their members in the 10-18 age group.
Project | Funding |
Young Voices in Sport Toolkit | €50,000 |
Sports Disability Training Framework (Cara – Sport Inclusion Ireland)
This fifth phase of Dormant Accounts funding in 2019 is designed to support the further development and delivery of specialised disability training courses through Cara. CARA will continue delivering on actions with a specific focus on sport and physical activity for people with disabilities.
Project | Funding |
Cara | €170,000 |
Project FLAME
Project FLAME is one of the first programmes in Ireland to explore multiple components of movement competence with 12-16 year olds. Provisional results from the 2018 Project FLAME study involving over 300 Irish adolescents, aged 12 to 16 years old, observed that those participants in receipt of the movement-orientated intervention improved their physical literacy levels, in comparison to their control counterparts (those not in receipt of the Project FLAME intervention). These provisional findings suggest that the Project FLAME intervention can improve adolescent movement skills, and patterns, however, the evidence to-date for this study have been rooted in the school and education settings only.
Project | Funding |
Project FLAME | €20,000 |
Get Ireland Running
Athletics Ireland wishes to expand a number of Get Ireland Running Programmes targeting areas of disadvantage while also piloting some new initiatives around integration and inclusion. The programmes are directly linked to Athletics Ireland current strategy (2017-2020) which aims at ‘continuing to grow our membership through our existing club base, enhanced coaching and through new clubs and recruitment from schools, with specific focus on disadvantaged areas’.
Project | Funding |
Get Ireland Running | €100,000 |
Get Ireland Cycling
Cycling Ireland, working in collaboration with their clubs, partners and communities will coordinate and deliver opportunities, across a suite of programme offerings, to people in socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged areas.
Project | Funding |
Get Ireland Cycling | €100,000 |
Get Ireland Swimming
Swim Ireland will continue roll out projects under the overall ‘Get Ireland Swimming’ banner in support of the National Physical Activity Plan and the Swim Ireland mission which is ‘to encourage participation, develop excellence and regulate the sport”.
Project | Funding |
Get Ireland Swimming | €100,000 |
Get Ireland Walking
Sport Ireland developed the Get Ireland Walking initiative, in collaboration with a number of national partner organisations in 2013 and coordinates the programme with Mountaineering Ireland with financial support from the Department of Health. The programme seeks to grow the culture of walking in Ireland and support the establishment of community walking groups throughout the country.
Project | Funding |
Get Ireland Walking | €100,000 |
NGB Community & Disability Sports Projects
Funding was made available to National Governing Bodies of Sport to support the National Physical Activity Plan under:
Action 47 ‘Continue to support the work of the National Governing Bodies of sport in implementing programmes to promote physical activity’,
Action 48 ‘Develop programmes to address transitions and drop out from physical activity and sport’
Action 49 ‘Extend existing and developing programmes for physical activity for people with disabilities and their families to enhance and deliver a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme’.
Badminton Ireland | €40,000 |
Basketball Ireland | €40,000 |
Canoeing Ireland | €40,000 |
Confederation of Golf | €20,000 |
Cricket Ireland | €40,000 |
Gaelic Athletic Association | €35,000 |
Gymnastics Ireland | €40,000 |
Hockey Ireland | €40,000 |
Horse Sport Ireland | €40,000 |
IABA | €40,000 |
Irish Orienteering Association | €40,000 |
Irish Sailing | €40,000 |
Irish Surfing | €30,000 |
Irish Underwater Council | €20,000 |
LGFA | €35,000 |
Rowing Ireland | €40,000 |
Special Olympics Ireland | €40,000 |
Tennis Ireland | €40,000 |
Triathlon Ireland | €40,000 |
Vision Sports | €30,000 |
Volleyball Association of Ireland | €35,000 |