Sinn Fein calls for sports clubs to get grant aid during COVID-19 pandemic

Cllr Paul Duffy made the call after Portadown GAA club Tir na Nog announced they were unsuccessful in their applicatoin for the fund.

The Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council member said the Minister for the Economy Diane Dodds decided that clubs and recreational properties are not eligible for the grant scheme.

“I am calling on the Minister to include sports and recreational clubs in the 10k grant scheme. These clubs have been on the front line in the response to the COVID pandemic - supporting the most vulnerable.

“Their members have been to the forefront delivering much needed food parcels, collecting prescriptions, making phone calls as well as the day to day care of the vulnerable. These grants are essential to clubs as many of their day to day bills mount up.

“Post pandemic these clubs will play a crucial recovery role in the community addressing the mental and physical needs of our communities. However without the support of grant schemes many will simply not survive. As such the Minister must rethink her decision to exclude them immediately.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Economy said both the £10k Small Business Grand Shcme and the £25k scheme for retail, hospitality tourism and leisure businesses closed on Wednesday May 20. He added the eligibility criteria for the £10k scheme were businesses currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief, adding that if a club pays rates and benefits for rate relief it would have been eligible. He said clubs unable to access the £10k or £25k schemes can apply for the new microbusiness hardship grant if they meet the eligibility criteria.

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