The Football Association of Ireland has thanked Ministers Thomas Byrne, Catherine Martin, Jack Chambers, and Paschal Donohoe for football’s €45.8 million in funding through the newly launched Community Sport Facility Fund (CSFF), formerly known as the Sports Capital & Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The investment represents an 82% increase from the €25.1 million awarded in 2020, meaning football's overall share of the €256 million fund has increased from 15% to 18%.
League of Ireland clubs have greatly benefitted from the funding, receiving €4.07 million, which represents a 77% increase on SCEP grants in 2020.
Notable League of Ireland projects include:
- Munster Football Association secured €157,750 for Turner's Cross upgrades, a vital venue for the MFA, Cork City FC, and the surrounding area.
- Wexford FC received €373,841 for equipment and regional grants.
- Sligo Rovers FC was awarded €376,270 for floodlights and facility upgrades.
- Kerry FC received €387,953 to replace their 3G pitch.
- Dundalk FC received €454,228 for a new pitch and floodlight upgrades.
The Sports Capital Grants were announced today. A record €230m allocated for community sport facilities. Nearly 2,000 grants approved boosting grassroots sport nationwide. We're proud to have delivered many ATP's made possible by the grants. Here's to building many more!⚽🏐🏉🏑 pic.twitter.com/EpmzBo53Bu
— PST Sport (@PST_Sport) September 25, 2024
Paul Cooke, FAI President, stated that the investment will benefit players and communities across the island for years to come.
"We're incredibly thankful to Minister Thomas Byrne, Minister Catherine Martin, Minister Jack Chambers, and Paschal Donohoe for their essential support. Irish football, at both the professional and grassroots levels across the country, needs their backing and government support.
"This announcement today means clubs can continue to enhance their facilities for the benefit of players and communities alike. This funding is an essential step forward in delivering our facility investment vision and strategy, for which government support is a key cornerstone."
David Courell, FAI Interim CEO, also expressed his gratitude to members of the Irish government for their role in the funding project given to the FAI:
"I'd like to extend my thanks to the Ministers and all members of the government who've supported and backed Irish football today with this increased funding.
"This is further validation of our Facilities Vision and Investment Strategy, galvanising the Irish football community to maximise funding opportunities from the government, as demonstrated by the 82% increase in funding from the allocations awarded in 2020. We also appreciate the advance notice of support given to Dundalk FC, which helped facilitate the recent change in ownership."
