All 19 clubs or organisations in Laois that applied for funding have been approved for a grant under the equipment-only stream. These include a diverse range of disciplines, from €24,000 for a Fairway Mower in Mountrath Golf Club, to €65,806 for Laois Hockey Club to create a culture of hockey in the county.
The grants awarded represent a very high proportion of the cost of the specific equipment applied for by each group. Sean Fleming TD, Minister of State, said he was pleased to speak with Minister Byrne directly in relation to each of the Laois equipment grant applications.
“I asked him to provide the maximum equipment grant to all applicants from Laois. This grant announcement is great news for these Laois groups and their communities. I look forward to these Laois groups purchasing this equipment as urgently as possible.”
The successful applicants are:
Abbeyleix AFC Equipment for brand new pitch. Soccer €13,722
Banríon Gaels Camogie Club Banrion Gaels Camogie Club Equipment. Camogie €65,077
Barrowhouse GAA club Barrowhouse GAA. Gaelic Games €5,500
Castletown Community Sports Field Development Fund Sports Equipment for Castletown Sports Field. Multi-sport €9,355
Clonad GAA Club Auto Mower for Playing Pitches. Gaelic Games €33,890
Crettyard United Soccer Club Crettyard United AFC. Soccer €29,915
Grange United FC Football Pitch Mower. Soccer €5,500
Kilcavan Gaa Robot pitch mowing system. Gaelic Games €26,445
Laois Archery To further expand capacity. Archery €16,673
Laois Camogie Laois Camogie Sports Equipment Grant Application. Camogie €2,500
Laois Hockey Club Creating a culture of hockey in Co Laois. Hockey €65,806
Laois Sports Partnership Ltd Equipment for Inclusion and Diversity. Multi-sport €19,577
Mountrath Golf Club Fairway Mower. Golf €24,000
Piranha Swim Club Swimming equipment for Piranha swimming club. Swimming €18,703.
Portlaoise Badminton Club sports badminton equipment. Badminton €2,945
Portlaoise Golf Club To purchase battery powered Robotic Auto-mowers. Golf €40,000
St Conleths LGFC to purchase football training equipment. Gaelic Games €2,820
Wolfhill Athletic Football Club Wolfhill Athletic Equipment. Soccer €905
Woodenbridge Paddlers Association – purchase of equipment. Canoeing / Kayaking €5,082
Minister Fleming said: “A further announcement will be made as soon as practicable for clubs and organisations that have applied for funding under the ‘capital projects’ category and clubs that have applied under the ‘capital and equipment projects’ category.
“These applications are now being examined and I am asking the Minister to approve these as soon as this is completed. The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme provides support to sports clubs and communities to develop or refurbish sports facilities and provide funding for sports equipment.
“Thanks to the committed volunteers in all the clubs and organisations in Laois who work very hard in their communities to provide wonderful amenities and sporting facilities right on our doorsteps. I also want to thank those organisations for their work in applying for funding under this grant scheme.
“I encourage people of all ages in Laois to get involved in physical and exercise activities. It is very good for people’s health and wellbeing to be involved in physical activity and sports,” added Deputy Fleming.
