Minister Cummins urges sports clubs in Waterford to apply for funding

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• Applications open for new Community Sport Facilities Fund, with enhanced funding opportunities for sports clubs

Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD, is encouraging local sports clubs to prepare applications for a new funding round, which opens next week.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD has announced that the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) will open for registrations on Monday September 28th, bringing significant improvements designed to help even more clubs and communities deliver better sporting facilities.

The new funding round introduces a redesigned three-tier structure, higher grant ceilings and simpler application requirements, making it easier for sports clubs, community organisations and local authorities to access Government support.

Among the key changes are:

•Local grants of up to €250,000

•Tier 2 grants of between €250,000 and €550,000

•A new Tier 3 with grants of up to €750,000 for larger multi-sport projects

•Easier eligibility rules, including reduced lease requirements

•Greater encouragement for partnerships between sports clubs and schools.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan said: “The Community Sport Facilities Fund has transformed sports facilities in every county, helping clubs to grow, attract new members and provide better opportunities for people of every age to participate in sport.

“This new round builds on that success. We’ve increased funding limits, introduced a brand-new funding tier for larger projects and simplified the application process so that even more organisations can benefit.

“I would encourage every eligible club and community organisation to begin preparing now. This is a real opportunity to invest in facilities that will serve local communities for generations.”

Minister Cummins is encouraging clubs throughout Waterford to begin preparing their registration ahead of applications.

“This is excellent news for clubs across Waterford. Every community knows the difference that good sporting facilities make- not only for players, but for volunteers, families and local communities. I would strongly encourage every eligible club to start preparing their application now. If any club has questions about the scheme, I’d be very happy to assist them in understanding the process.”

“In recent years we’ve seen clubs across Waterford secure significant Government investment through this fund, delivering new pitches, floodlights, dressing rooms, walking tracks and community sports facilities. I want to see even more local projects benefiting from this new round.”

Registration will open on 28 September, on the Department’s new SPRAOI online system. Existing organisations already registered on the previous OSCAR system will automatically transfer to the new platform.

An information guide with detailed terms and conditions will be published the week of 12 October.

Applications will open on Monday 19 October.

Application window will remain open until Friday 26 February 2027

Further details, including the ‘Guide to Making an Application’, will be published by the Department.