Disappointment as sports funding is rejected

MINISTER of State for Sport, Michael Ring, has been urged to meet with a delegation from Dublin City Council following a decision by his department to reject funding applications for three separate sports projects on the Southside.

Last year, applications were submitted by the city council for funding of e300,000 under the Sport Capital Grant programme for the extension of the pavilion at Willie Pearse Park in Crumlin.

The council also made applications on behalf of the St John Bosco Football Club and four other local clubs for funding to drain four pitches at Brickfield Park in Terenure.

The council also applied for funding to refurbish the pavilion at Bushy Park in Terenure.

At a recent meeting of the South Central Area Committee of Dublin City Council, the four sitting councillors expressed disappointment that none of the three projects was awarded any funding.

In a letter to Minister Ring, acting area manager Sean Maloney said:

“The committee has requested that you agree to receive a deputation consisting of the four local councillors and one representative from the boxing, soccer, and GAA clubs that use the facilities at Willie Pearse Park.

?

However, in a letter dated January 22, the minister noted that applications for funding for the three schemes could not be granted because the applications were deemed

“invalid

?.

“Applications have been finalised for the 2012 Sports Capital Programme and cannot be reviewed,

? the letter states.

“The department received 2,170 applications under the 2012 Sports Capital Programme of which over 1,500 were unsuccessful. It is therefore not possible to meet deputations for unsuccessful applicants.

?

Sinn Fein activist, Daithí Doolan, expressed disappointment that the minister could not meet the delegation to discuss funding for the three projects.

“The community was very disappointed that all funding proposals were turned down,

? he said.

“But Drimnagh residents continue to keep up the pressure. It was a good application and we believe it was worth funding.

?

He added:

“As a local resident I can honestly say this is deeply disappointing for residents and those soccer teams who use Brickfield Park. I would urge the Minister to meet with a delegation from the area and to listen to our concerns.

?

Southside People contacted the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport but there was nobody available for comment.