Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, today announced an investment package of almost €4.5 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 today, Minister Ross said: “I am delighted to announce almost €4.5 million in funding for sport and physical activity measures through the Dormant Accounts Fund. In line with the new National Sports Policy, this funding will support our Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies in the delivery of a comprehensive programme of initiatives under the National Physical Activity Plan. My Department is working together with Sport Ireland, the Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies for Sport to ensure that the programme of initiatives resulting from this funding is inclusive, accessible and regionally balanced.”
Minister Griffin added: “Sport is vital for the growth of community and social cohesiveness in disadvantaged areas, and investment in the young people in these areas has long-term benefits both for their own health and for their engagement in society generally. The investment being announced today not only means that some of the successful programmes implemented over the last three years can be continued, it also allows for new initiatives and investment in disadvantaged communities. The programmes which will be implemented as a result of this funding will contribute significantly to the health and well-being of individuals and communities at a local level around the county.”
Among the successful Dormant Accounts Fund projects announced today are five new Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs, with additional funding for 26 existing Hubs.
Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of Sport Ireland said: “Sport Ireland is delighted with the announcement of this substantial funding towards the important sport and physical activity interventions in the community. The aim of the Community Sport and Physical Activity Hubs is to bring local people together and provide a home for local clubs and sports organisations. Supported by Sport Ireland’s network of Local Sports Partnerships, these hubs will provide information, support and advice on a wide range of sports and physical activities and make it easier for people to get involved and engage in a more active and healthier lifestyle”.
Highlighting new initiatives funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, commented: “Sport Ireland places a premium on ensuring everyone has an opportunity to partake in sport no matter what their circumstance and the Dormant Accounts Fund is assisting us in realising that ambition. It is particularly welcome to see a range of new projects developed, which will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local communities. Programmes such as the new Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills initiative and the additions to the Coaching Development Programme for Ireland will make sport and physically activity more accessible to more people. ”
As with previous funding announced, today’s investment is closely aligned with the National Physical Activity Plan. A particular emphasis 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 such as the Dublin North East Inner City Project and Coaching Young People project, along with other initiatives such as the Urban Outdoor Adventure programme and the Youth Leadership programme, have increased the opportunities for participation at a local level. These initiatives are driven by local community leaders and groups meaning that all programmes are highly targeted and contribute to building the capacity of communities. The results have been impressive and this new raft of funding will allow us to keep developing opportunities, offering a significant return on investments.”
Breakdown of Dormant Accounts Funding:
Community Sports and Physical Activity Hubs
Dormant Accounts Funding will be allocated to establish and develop five new CSPAHs, with additional funding allocated to 26 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 |
| Cavan LSP
Belturbet |
43,000 |
| Fingal LSP
Tyrrelstown/Mulhuddart |
60,600 |
| Leitrim LSP
Manorhamiliton |
60,600 |
| Meath LSP
Johnstown in Navan |
56,600 |
| Waterford LSP
Lismore, Villierstown, Cappoquin |
60,600 |
| Local Sports Partnership
Round 2 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
| Cavan LSP
Kilnaleck |
30,500 |
| Cork LSP
Northside Cork City |
40,000 |
| Donegal LSP
Stranorlar, Killybegs, Ballyshannon |
40,000 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown LSP
Ballyogan |
40,000 |
| Fingal LSP
Balbriggan |
40,000 |
| Galway LSP
Ballybane/Doughiska |
40,000 |
| Kerry LSP
Cahersiveen |
40,000 |
| Kildare LSP
Athy |
40,000 |
| Longford LSP
Edgeworthstown |
40,000 |
| Mayo LSP
Balinrobe |
40,000 |
| Meath LSP
Windtown/Blackcastle in Navan |
40,000 |
| Sligo LSP
Bunninadden |
40,000 |
| South Dublin LSP
Brookfield in West Tallaght |
28,000 |
| Local Sports Partnership
Round 3 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
| Kilkenny LSP
Kilkenny City/ Ferrybank |
30,000 |
| Louth LSP
Muirhevnamor |
30,000 |
| Laois LSP
Stradbally, Vicarstown, Timahoe |
30,000 |
| Offaly LSP
Crinkle |
30,000 |
| South Dublin LSP
Colinstown North Clondalkin |
30,000 |
| Local Sports Partnership
Round 4 CSPAH Location |
Funding |
| Clare LSP
Clarisford |
20,000 |
| Cork LSP
West Cork Islands |
20,000 |
| Donegal LSP
Maghery |
20,000 |
| Limerick LSP
Croom |
20,000 |
| Mayo LSP
Ballyhaunis |
20,000 |
| Sligo LSP
Sligo East City- Cranmore |
20,000 |
| Tipperary LSP
Clonmel |
20,000 |
| Waterford LSP
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 |
| Cavan LSP | 1,840 |
| Clare LSP | 17,000 |
| Cork LSP | 10,500 |
| Dublin City LSP | 12,500 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown LSP | 10,000 |
| Fingal LSP | 10,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP | 17,500 |
| Laois LSP | 10,000 |
| Leitrim LSP | 10,000 |
| Limerick LSP | 6,200 |
| Longford LSP | 15,800 |
| Louth LSP | 12,500 |
| Mayo LSP | 8,600 |
| Meath LSP | 22,500 |
| Monaghan LSP | 3,600 |
| Offaly LSP | 20,000 |
| Roscommon LSP | 5,000 |
| South Dublin LSP | 19,000 |
| Tipperary LSP | 10,000 |
| Waterford LSP | 6,200 |
| Wexford LSP | 15,000 |
| Wicklow LSP | 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 |
| Carlow LSP | 11,725 |
| Cavan LSP | 14,755 |
| Cork LSP | 15,000 |
| Donegal LSP | 15,000 |
| Dublin City LSP | 15,000 |
| Fingal LSP | 9,000 |
| Kerry LSP | 15,000 |
| Kildare LSP | 15,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP | 15,000 |
| Laois LSP | 15,000 |
| Limerick LSP | 15,000 |
| Louth LSP | 15,000 |
| Mayo LSP | 15,000 |
| Meath LSP | 15,000 |
| Offaly LSP | 15,000 |
| Roscommon LSP | 15,000 |
| Sligo LSP | 15,000 |
| Tipperary LSP | 15,000 |
| Waterford LSP | 9,520 |
| Wexford LSP | 15,000 |
| Wicklow LSP | 15,000 |
ASPIRE Graduate Programme Phase 2
Sport Ireland will fund a number of NGBs to directly employ a graduate on the scheme for a fixed term basis (11 months), following on from a qualifying criteria based application process. In addition, Sport Ireland would support the graduate scheme employees with mentoring, executive coaching and skills development training for the duration of the scheme, ensuring appropriate standards and quality of experience was provided for each employee and host NGB. It is anticipated that upon completion of the programme, each participant will have gained experience and skills development to ensure their likelihood of securing long term professional employment in the Irish sports sector is greatly increased.
Organisations participating in the ASPIRE Graduate Programme include: Badminton Ireland; Irish wheelchair Association; Tennis Ireland; Limerick LSP; Swim Ireland; Meath LSP; Rowing Ireland; Volleyball Ireland; and Triathlon Ireland.
| Project | Funding |
| ASPIRE Graduate Programme Phase 2 | 250,000 |
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 |
| Carlow LSP | 10,000 |
| Cavan LSP | 10,000 |
| Clare LSP | 10,000 |
| Cork LSP | 10,000 |
| Dublin City LSP | 10,000 |
| Dun Laoghaire Rathdown LSP | 10,000 |
| Kerry LSP | 10,000 |
| Kildare LSP | 10,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP | 10,000 |
| Laois LSP | 10,000 |
| Leitrim LSP | 10,000 |
| Mayo LSP | 10,000 |
| Meath LSP | 10,000 |
| Monaghan LSP | 10,000 |
| Offaly LSP | 10,000 |
| Sligo LSP | 10,000 |
| South Dublin LSP | 3,500 |
| Tipperary LSP | 10,000 |
| Waterford LSP | 10,000 |
| CARA | 16,500 |
Sports Disability Training Framework
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. In 2018, the focus of the funding proposal is to make an impact across the areas of development to enhance active and healthy lifestyles for people with disabilities.
| Project | Funding |
| CARA | 170,000 |
Outdoor Recreation Accessible Infrastructure Training
Under the 2016 Dormant Accounts programme a new guideline was produced by the Irish Wheelchair Association titled Great Outdoors A Guide for Accessibility. This new guideline provides for the first time in Ireland guidance on what is required to make outdoor recreation areas more accessible to people with disabilities. A second phase to this project is now proposed, which aims to increase awareness and promote this new guideline through promotional activities, workshops and training events. The target audience for this work would include staff involved in the provision and development of outdoor recreation amenities in Ireland
| Project | Funding |
| CARA | 25,000 |
Urban Outdoor Adventure Hubs Phase 2
The objective of the Urban Outdoor Adventure Initiatives was 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 |
| Carlow LSP | 41,770 |
| Donegal LSP | 30,000 |
| Dublin City LSP | 41,770 |
| Fingal LSP | 8,000 |
| Kilkenny LSP | 41,770 |
| Laois LSP | 41,770 |
| Leitrim LSP | 25,000 |
| Longford LSP | 20,060 |
| Mayo LSP | 41,770 |
| Offaly LSP | 41,715 |
| Sligo LSP | 41,770 |
| Tipperary LSP | 41,770 |
| Waterford LSP | 24,835 |
Dublin North East Inner City
This project focuses on the provision of a range of training programmes and supporting participation initiatives in conjunction with National Governing Bodies, sports clubs and local organisations that want to work together to improve the sport offered to young people in Dublin North East Inner City RAPID area. This project will be delivered through Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership, based within Dublin City Council.
| Project | Funding |
| Dublin City LSP | 30,000 |
Active Places, Better Spaces
Following on from the initial pilot in 2017, this funding will continue to develop innovative participation programme interventions in Garryowen, Co. Limerick. Key aspects of the initiative to date have focused around ‘come & try’ and ‘open day’ sessions which has created an awareness around the existence of the initiative and has started building relationships between the staff from Limerick LSP, Limerick Youth Service and the general community.
| Project | Funding |
| Limerick LSP | 35,000 |
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’.
| National Governing Body | Funding |
| Athletics Ireland | 100,000 |
Get Ireland Cycling
Cycling Ireland, working in collaboration with their clubs, partners and communities will co-ordinate and deliver opportunities, across a suite of programme offerings, to people in socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged areas.
| National Governing Body | Funding |
| Cycling Ireland | 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”.
| National Governing Body | Funding |
| Swim Ireland | 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 | 90,000 |
NGB Sports Inclusion Fund
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’.
| National Governing Body | Funding |
| Irish Sailing | 45,000 |
| Rowing Ireland | 45,000 |
| Special Olympics | 45,000 |
| Tennis Ireland | 45,000 |
| Triathlon Ireland | 45,000 |
| Hockey Ireland | 45,000 |
| IWA – Sport | 45,000 |
| Badminton Ireland | 35,000 |
| Basketball Ireland | 35,000 |
| Mountaineering Ireland | 35,000 |
| Orienteering Ireland | 30,000 |
| Vision Sports Ireland | 30,000 |
| Gymnastics Ireland | 30,000 |
| Volleyball Ireland | 30,000 |
| Table Tennis Ireland | 25,000 |
| Fencing Ireland | 25,000 |
| Horse Sport Ireland | 20,000 |
| Irish Athletic Boxing Association | 20,000 |
| Irish Tug of War Association | 20,000 |
| Football Association of Ireland | 20,000 |
| Irish Surfing Association | 18,000 |
| Speleological Union of Ireland | 10,000 |
| Angling Council Of Ireland | 10,000 |
Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills interventions
The funding will support the implementation of participation programmes with a focus on disadvantaged communities through Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills interventions. The first phase of the development of this innovative Physical Literacy project, which once the Consensus Statement is produced, will be the first of its kind in Europe.
Physical literacy has been defined in the newly launched National Sports Policy 2018-2027 as “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for maintaining purposeful physical pursuits/activities throughout the life course”. It embraces the notion of participation in sport and physical activity over the life course encompassing pre-school children, school-going children and adults of all ages.
| Project | Funding |
| Physical Literacy & Fundamental Movement Skills interventions | 75,000
|
Evidence Based Communications Campaign
Development and roll-out of an annual evidence based national physical activity promotion campaign, which will feature case studies and collaboration to encourage take-up of sport and physical activity opportunities within local areas.
| Project | Funding |
| Evidence Based Communications
Campaign |
375,000 |
Coaching Young People
The aim of this project is to develop training for coaches/leaders with an emphasis on keeping young people engaged in sport and physical activity.
| Project | Funding |
| Coaching Young People | 35,000 |
Coaching People with Disabilities
This project would develop an approach/materials to coaching people with disabilities in line with the newly launched Sport Ireland Policy.
| Project | Funding |
| Coaching People with Disabilities | 50,000 |
Coaching Development Programme for Ireland
Review of all the Coach Development Programme for Ireland coach education levels to ensure that the learning outcomes are inclusive of approaches to coaching socially and economically disadvantaged areas; and to include people with disabilities.
| Project | Funding |
| Coaching Development Programme for Ireland | 25,000 |