Fine Gael Kildare South TD Martin Heydon has today (Friday) advised Kildare sporting organisations preparing applications for the new round of Sports Capital Grants to be aware of common pitfalls that rendered over 35% of applications in 2015 invalid.
“In response to recent a parliamentary question, Minister of State with responsibility for Sport Patrick O’Donovan has advised me that in 2015, 566 applications were deemed invalid out of a total 1,592 applications received. The Department has introduced a series of measures this year to try to reduce the number of invalid applications for 2017. However it is important that clubs should be aware of the most common reason.
“The Minister has advised me that almost 90% of invalid applications in 2015 were based on one of 5 reasons set out below:
1. Title/Access requirements not satisfied;
2. Insufficient evidence of planning permission, planning application, or exemption from planning;
3. Insufficient quotations/estimates submitted;
4. Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format;
5. Insufficient own funding.
“Once an application is deemed invalid for one of the above reasons, it will not be considered for funding despite any other merits so it is important that clubs and organisations ensure that title, planning and funding elements are in place.
“The Department have put a number of measures in place this year to assist clubs and this should mean that less applications are invalid. These measures include a series of regional meetings around the Country with department staff, include Dublin and Athlone venues.
“The 2017 Sports Capital Programme announced in mid December has a fund of €30m available and applications can be made up to 24th February 2017 at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Clubs should register their interest online by 10th February.”