Sports clubs and community groups across Monaghan can now apply for the latest round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund, the Government's main grant scheme for pitches, dressing rooms, halls and equipment. The application window opened at 9am on Monday 19 October and runs until 26 February 2027.
The scheme, formerly known as the Sports Capital Programme, is the one most GAA, soccer, athletics and other clubs in the county turn to when they want to build or upgrade facilities. The last round was in 2023.
"Your GAA club, your soccer club, your tennis club"
Senator Robbie Gallagher told Northern Sound that clubs in Cavan and Monaghan did well out of the last round, when he said more than 68 community groups and sports clubs across the two counties secured over €9 million between them.
"It's a hugely popular fund in that many sports clubs and community groups have the potential to secure funding, to upgrade equipment or indeed facilities at their base for the benefit of their members and for the benefit of the wider community," he said. "Your GAA club, your soccer club, your tennis club, your golf club; any community sports group like that are entitled to apply."
How much is on offer
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport's information guide for the 2026 round sets out three tiers. Local grants go up to €250,000 and can cover building work, equipment, or both, with the grant covering up to 95% of eligible costs. Within that, equipment is capped at €70,000, and no more than €40,000 of that can go on maintenance machinery such as mowers in any five-year period.
Bigger projects can apply as regional grants: Tier 1 for requests above €250,000 and up to €550,000, and Tier 2 for capital works between €550,000 and €750,000. Regional grants are funded at a maximum of 70%.
What's changed for clubs
There are a few changes from 2023 that will matter to volunteer committees:
- A new portal. All applications must go through the Department's new online system, SPRAOI, which replaced OSCAR. Clubs registered on OSCAR have had their details moved across, but the guide says the club's primary contact should have received an email invitation to complete registration. Postal and emailed applications will not be accepted.
- No proof of own funding up front. Clubs used to have to show documents proving they could fund their share at application stage. That requirement has been dropped.
- A bigger holdback. On projects over €50,000, 10% of the grant will now be held back until the project is signed off, up from 5%. Clubs will also have to show they have worked with their Local Sports Partnership's "Sport for All" programme.
Each club can make only one application, including any joint application it is part of. Schools can only apply jointly with a local club. Clubs must be not-for-profit, open to the public, and charge annual and joining fees of less than €1,500 each. Projects in disadvantaged areas, based on the Pobal deprivation index, can be given priority.
Before the Department gives final approval, successful clubs will need three comparable quotes for each item, proof that they own or lease the property, and final planning permission or confirmation that none is needed.
Don't leave it late
The guide says the deadline is 11:59pm on 26 February 2027, with no late or partial applications accepted. Applications cannot be changed once submitted, and the Department warns that it may not be able to answer queries close to the deadline. Offers of funding are expected before the end of 2027.
Clubs with questions can email the Department at [email protected].
