A county councillor in Killarney says the way sports capital grants are paid is putting small clubs under severe financial pressure
Councillor Niall “Botty” O’Callaghan told a recent Kerry County Council meeting that funding under the Community Sport Facilities Fund is only paid after projects are completed, forcing clubs to spend money they do not have upfront.
Sometimes called the sports capital grant, the fund supports voluntary, non-profit sports clubs and community groups to develop facilities and increase participation.
Cllr Niall “Botty” O’Callaghan said this system means clubs approved for large grants must first borrow the full amount, often from social finance bodies such as Clann Credo, and pay interest before any funding is drawn down.
He gave the example of a club approved for €500,000, which must first borrow and spend that amount itself, with interest costs of between €18,000 and €20,000.
While stressing that he was not criticising Clann Credo, he said the cost of borrowing is crippling clubs and diverts money away from young people and the development of sport.
Cllr O’Callaghan has called on the council executive to engage with the Department of Sport to explore alternative ways of releasing funding, including a greater role for Kerry County Council.
