Sports Capital Programme 2014. Key Information for Clubs

A new 40 million euro fund for important sports capital projects was recently announced by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Mr. Michael Ring T.D. Here is some key information for Clubs hoping to apply.
The Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is operated by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and provides grants to assist in the development of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. Grants are available to sports clubs, voluntary and community groups, national governing bodies of sport and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs – formerly VECs) and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs.



The terms and conditions of the programme have been finalised and organisations will be able to make applications from 12 noon on Friday 17th January 2014.  The closing date for applications is 5pm Friday 28th February 2014. Applications for the 2014 programme will only be accepted online, and organisations MUST BE REGISTERED IN ADVANCE in order to apply.


Contact in Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for Waterford Applicants
Brendan Ingram (064) 6627368  brendaningram@dtts.ie




Contacts in Waterford Sports Partnership for support
Rosarie Kealy 058 21190 rkealy@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
Peter Jones 058 21191 pjones@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
Pauline Cunningham 051 849855 pcunningham@waterfordsportspartnership.ie




Important Dates…
• Open for applications from 12 noon on Friday 17th January;
• Closed for online OSCAR registration at 5pm on Friday 7th February;
• Deadline for applications at 5pm on Friday 28th February.
For more information please see; http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme




New for 2014 – Oscar Registration
1. Applicants must register first (by Feb 7th) on the new OSCAR (Online Sports Capital Register) system at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. A useful guide to registering for the online system is available at http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/sport/english/new-guide-registration-oscar/guidetoregisteringforscponline-2.pdf. This should be read thoroughly. If club hasn’t registered by February 7th they won’t be eligible to apply!!!  They need a Tax Registration Number (TRN) from the Revenue to register – this may take around 10 working days so it is URGENT to commence this process immediately. The form for sport clubs (that are not limited companies) can be downloaded from http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/forms/frm_volorg.pdf and should be completed and sent with a covering letter with contact number for the club for queries (NB) and explaining the deadline of Feb 7th to Registration Section, Government Offices, The Glen, Waterford.  Tel. 051-862100.  A different form TR2 is required for Limited company tax registration.
2. The application process cannot be started until the organisation has registered and the registration has been confirmed by the department.
3. All applications must be completed online. This is the ONLY way to apply.

Making the Application – some key points
1. Read the 2014 Sports Capital Programme Guide to Making an Application thoroughly at http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/sport/english/new-guide-scp-applications/2014-sports-capital-programme-guide-filling-out-application-form.pdf
2. It will be important that the person making the application on behalf of the club is comfortable with computers, scanning and uploading documents.
3. Club will have to scan a number of documents therefore access to a scanner is will be required.
4. Deadline for applications is 5pm Friday February 28th.
5. Max grant for club/organisation projects is €200,000, for national/regional is €500,000
6. Minimum own funding
Non-disadvantaged 15%
Clar area 10%
RAPID area 5%
Regional or national or NGB 5%
7. Must use the templates provided in the appendices to the guide or downloadable at the relevant part of the form
8. Must have planning permission, evidence of current planning permission application or confirmation planning permission not required.
9. Schools, ETBs and 3rd level colleges may only apply for funding jointly with local sports clubs or community groups and must provide copies of formal license agreements.
10. Site ownership
If application is for sports equipment only - no need to provide evidence of title
If you own land or have long lease of 15 years or more remaining and if title is registered in the Land Registry you can apply up to €200k for funding for capital works
If you do not own the land or do not have a long lease you may only apply for a maximum of €25,000.
11. Very important to read the Guidelines thoroughly.
12. 2012 process had 69 Waterford applications of which 34 were declared invalid and 19 were successful.  Main reasons for invalid applications relate to title issues, not providing proof of planning or own funding
13. There are 23 clubs registered on the OSCAR system today (17/1/14).