Kilkenny clubs urged to apply for increased Sport Facilities Fund

Carlow-Kilkenny TD and Leas Ceann Comhairle John McGuinness TD has welcomed the announcement of the new 2026 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), which will provide increased grant levels and new opportunities for sporting organisations across Carlow and Kilkenny.

The new funding round, announced by Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue, will see the maximum grant available for local projects increase from €200,000 to €250,000, while a new Regional Tier 2 will provide grants of up to €750,000 for larger, multi-sport projects.

Applications for the new round will open at 9am on Monday, October 19, and will remain open until 5pm on Friday, February 26, 2027.

“This is very welcome news for sporting clubs and community organisations throughout Carlow and Kilkenny,” said Deputy McGuinness.

“Our sporting organisations are at the heart of communities across both counties. They are driven by volunteers who give their time week after week to provide opportunities for children, young people and adults to participate in sport.

“The increase in the maximum local grant from €200,000 to €250,000 is particularly significant. It will allow clubs to consider more ambitious projects and to address the growing demand for better pitches, dressing rooms, sports halls, floodlighting and other facilities.

“The introduction of a new Regional Tier 2, with grants of up to €750,000, also creates an opportunity for larger multi-sport projects which can benefit a much wider area and provide facilities for several sporting organisations.”

Deputy McGuinness said the changes to the application requirements should also make the fund more accessible to clubs and organisations.

“I particularly welcome the practical changes being made to the scheme, including the reduction in the minimum lease term from 15 years to 10 years and the removal of the mandatory requirement for a registered lease.

“The increased emphasis on collaboration between schools and sporting organisations is also important. Our schools have facilities which can provide enormous benefits to the wider community when properly shared, while clubs can bring additional investment, expertise and sporting opportunities.

“The new arrangements should help more organisations develop projects which might previously have struggled to meet the requirements of the scheme.”

Deputy McGuinness is encouraging sporting organisations in Carlow and Kilkenny to begin preparing now rather than waiting until the application window opens.

“I would strongly encourage clubs, community organisations, Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies to look at the new criteria now and start preparing their applications.

“The first step is to ensure that your organisation is registered on the Department’s new SPRAOI grant management system.

“Clubs which were registered on the previous OSCAR system have been transferred automatically, but they should check that their details are accurate and up to date.

“For organisations considering a larger project, there is also an opportunity to work with other clubs, sporting bodies or the Local Authorities to develop multi-sport facilities which could benefit entire communities.

“There is considerable sporting talent and a very strong voluntary sporting tradition in both Carlow and Kilkenny. Good-quality facilities are essential if we are to support participation, inclusion and the development of sport at every level.

“I would encourage clubs to engage with the scheme early, identify what their communities need and put forward strong, well-prepared applications.”

The Community Sport Facilities Fund is the Government's primary programme for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.

The 2026 scheme includes three funding tiers:

Local projects: grants of up to €250,000, increased from €200,000.

Regional Tier 1: grants of up to €550,000, increased from €500,000.

Regional Tier 2: a new pilot category providing grants of up to €750,000, with a maximum grant rate of 70%, for larger multi-sport projects.

Eligible projects can include sports pitches and tracks, drainage, energy-efficient floodlighting, artificial pitches and courts, fencing, hurling walls and handball alleys, dressing rooms, showers and toilets, sports halls and gyms, non-personal sports equipment and modifications to reduce energy consumption.

Under the new Regional Tier 2, priority will be given to larger multi-sport facilities, including all-weather pitches, which are shared by at least two distinct sports.