Today I am delighted to announce the Government has approved URDF funding of €80.6m for Waterford North Quays Project.
A total package of €110.6m will go towards the regeneration project with €30 million having been committed by the Department of Transport, through the National Transport Authority. Today’s Government approval represents one of the single biggest investments ever in the South East. The North Quays project is the largest commercial development in Waterford and currently the largest urban regeneration project in the Country. The Programme for Government has balanced regional development at its heart because all parts of Ireland must thrive if we are to prosper as a country. Local Minister Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed the €85 million funding package for the Irish sport sector.
Minister O’Brien said the funding would reach all levels of the sport sector with thousands of clubs across Ireland set to benefit including Fingal based Cricket Ireland which has been allocated almost €1.5 million. Commenting Minister O’Brien said, “Like all sectors of society sporting bodies have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions which have been imposed on gatherings and on peoples’ movement. “Their income has been hit through a loss of membership fees, events and the other day to day fundraisers which clubs ordinarily hold. In many instances they have had additional costs arising from the implementation of social distancing and Covid-19 protocols. “This funding seeks to address the shortfall and will give a semblance of certainty to planning for 2021. I am particularly happy to see that dedicated funding has been set aside for disability and older adult sport. “I know this funding will be greatly welcomed by the sporting bodies and their supporters alike,” he concluded. Earlier today my colleagues Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, Catherine Martin TD and Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers TD, announced an unprecedented €85 million funding package for the Irish sport sector, which has been s significantly impacted by the various Covid-19 restrictions imposed since March 2020.
The funding being allocated today by Sport Ireland will address the existential threat to National Governing Bodies and their club networks, allowing sports organisations to off-set significant losses incurred in recent months and add a semblance of certainty to planning for 2021. The significant investment will reach all levels of the sport sector with National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and thousands of grassroots clubs across Ireland set to benefit.
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NEWSArchives
November 2023
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