Funding to spur physical activity in Clare communities

€120,000 has been allocated to the Clare Local Sports Partnership for the provision of permanent sport infrastructure in Killaloe, Shannon, Parteen, Kilrush, Ennis and North Clare.

Clare Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey explained that the money, which comes from the Participation Nation Outdoor Fund, is to defray the cost of permanent equipment that can be installed on public property for community use.

“The Government is committed to reaching a target of 60 per cent overall participation in sport by 2027, and this funding is designed to spur physical activity in community settings,” she said. 

In Killaloe, the funding will help with the procurement of a disability hoist, lifebuoy, safety ladder and accessible kayak pontoon, along with a connection between the hoist and the pontoon.

Ennis will benefit from the provision of two petanque courts, four basketball half courts, two teqball tables, a pump track and two Box Up lockers for the storage of sports equipment.

The Sports Partnership is planning to provide basketball hoops, Box Up lockers, new cable and netting as well as kerbing and lining the multi-use games area at the Kilrush Sports Complex.

Funds have been made available for a basketball and football net unit, a concrete table tennis unit and calisthenics unit in Parteen and Shannon as well as the purchase of outdoor gym equipment in North Clare.

“The recent budget represented a landmark moment for Irish sport with the target of doubling the sport budget compared to 2018 levels being reached two years ahead of schedule.

“I am confident that the Participation Nation Outdoor Fund will complement the tremendous community benefit that is already delivered under both the Community Sport Facilities Fund and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund,” Ms Carey concluded.