Eoin Sheahan

That's kind of the point I make about local battles going on, that it does feel that it's a case by case basis in all of these and the red tape that exists in all of these areas.

There's a couple of specific experiences then as well when it comes to going through the sports capital grant.

So we've been speaking to Ballinacore Community Park, which is in County Wicklow, and they've told us about the need to register with tax on their system, get quotes for the project.

And then once you have been agreed funding, you must then take it if it's a big project.

If it's a big project, you must get quotes from the people who will complete the project.

So unless you have a very strong case and can make that case, you're expected to go with the cheapest option when it comes to construction, labour, etc.

And they also say when applying for a grant, you must have a certain percent of that total figure to match the funding.

So if the project was 200k, your club would need 20% of that up front because the funding is not given as a lump sum and is instead given in tiers.

So it is designed that you spend 20% of the total fund, invoice that, and then repeat until the project is complete.

So that ties into this idea that you need a bit of cash, you need a good bit of cash in order to make something special happen on the sports capital grants.

We've been also speaking to Jobstown Boxing Club and their secretary has explained that they have applied for every grant that becomes available every year.

They've applied for the Sports Capital Grant.

and have been refused funding.

They have received smaller grants for equipment in the past.

They were unable to receive some grants due to issues like the centres in a residential area and that they rent the property from the council, which would be South Dublin County Council.

And the location for these reasons have been rejected.

However, they were unable to receive enough funding to move location

when going through the channels.

So what has happened here is they've attempted to go through the process.

They were left with no choice than to find a new channel to try and expand their community body, which is creating elite athletes.