Minister of State for Sport, Michael Ring, TD, has announced €41 million in funding under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) 2015.

This is the third round of the Sports Capital funding allocated under Minister Ring, following suspension of the Programme from 2008-2011.

A total of €130 million has been allocated by the Minister for sporting facilities in recent years with €31 million allocated in 2012, €40.5 million provided in 2014, €41 million in 2015 and a further €17 million made through special allocations in recent years.

These allocations have provided support for more than 2,600 projects nationally and demonstrate the Government's commitment to sports and to providing for local facilities and local communities.

Minister Ring said today: 'The Sports Capital Programme ensures that as many clubs and organisations as possible have the facilities and equipment they need to allow the maximum number of people to get involved in a wide variety of sports. In addition to funding being provided to organisations such as the GAA, soccer, rugby, boxing and athletics, I am also funding equipment and facilities for more than 40 sports ranging from angling to weight lifting and a whole host in between.

"By investing in community facilities, these grants take the pressure off clubs and groups to fundraise themselves to provide for the upgrading and building of premises and allows coaches and other volunteers to concentrate on growing the sports they know and love.

"The Sports Capital Programme is the most important way in which the Government assists in the development and refurbishment of sporting facilities and in the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. Throughout the application and assessment process an emphasis is placed on rewarding clubs and organisations that share facilities as well as on applications received from disadvantaged areas.

"This year alone €14.5 million has been allocated to 305 projects that are located in or serve CLAR and RAPID areas.

"As with previous years, allocations were made to counties in the fairest way possible; based on their population. A system was introduced by me, on first coming to office, which saw any unused money which resulted from counties not having enough valid projects to take funds allocated to them, being distributed to counties which had historically received below-average per capita funding. This system goes some way to addressing historical imbalances which had become a feature of previous rounds."

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications in the coming days.

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