A new €35 million fund has been established to help Irish sports clubs survive the rising energy costs this winter.
The fund was secured by Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers and has been agreed upon to lend a hand to clubs of various natures cope with the energy crisis and the demands it is set to put on their running and operation.
The fund will allay the costs of keeping floodlights on, keeping halls heated over winter and sustaining other energy-based facilities.
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And there will be further fuel and energy supports offered to struggling clubs in a separate package ringfenced for sports clubs and swimming clubs who will feel the full effect of rising energy costs in the looming winter period.
The €35m fund makes up part of a wider €60 million package which was announced by Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath during Tuesday's Budget.
While sporting groups will receive the largest portion of the fund, not-for-profit and voluntary groups in the Arts, Gaeltacht and Community sectors will also benefit financially.
The €35m package for sports clubs brings with it a welcome boost to the overall funding allocated to sport in this year's Budget; prior to the package being awarded, there was an increase of just €8m awarded to sport.
High performance athletes set to compete in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics Games in 2024 will gain funding from the package.
Elsewhere, a new coaching fund will be devised and objectives from the Government's Sports Action Plan will be delivered upon.
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