COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 09, 2026

QUESTION NO. 32

QUESTION: Councillor J. Sinnott

To ask the Chief Executive to advise on the number of new groups that availed of Community and Sports Development Grants for the first time in 2025 .

REPLY:

Community Grants Programme 

The Community Grants Programme supports Community Development and Community Events through financial assistance to community and voluntary groups across the county. The programme is designed to assist organisations responding to locally identified needs and to promote community participation, inclusion, and development. The next funding round is scheduled to open on 16 February 2026

In 2025, a total of 21 first-time applications were received under the Community Grants Programme. Applications were assessed in line with the programme’s terms and conditions, with 13 approved and the remaining applications either unsuccessful or withdrawn. 

The geographic distribution of first-time Community Grant applications in 2025 was as follows: 

• Clondalkin: 7 applications (6 approved)
• Tallaght Central: 4 applications (all approved)
• Rathfarnham/Templeogue: 2 applications (none approved)
• Tallaght South: 1 application (1 approved)
• Firhouse/Bohernabreena: 1 application (1 approved - summer project grant)
• County-wide groups: 6 applications (1 approved)
• Lucan: No first-time applications

Applicant organisations typically included residents’ associations, active retirement groups, allotment groups, music and cultural organisations, outreach and support groups, and other community-based organisations. 

The principal reasons for applications being unsuccessful included: 

• Failure to meet eligibility criteria as set out in the grant scheme
• Applicants based outside the Council’s administrative area
• Full allocation of available funding for the year exhausted

Sports Development Grants Programme 

The Active South Dublin Sports Development Grants Programme provides funding to sporting, educational, and community organisations to support equipment purchase, leader training, programme delivery, and operational costs. The programme aims to increase and sustain participation in sport and health-enhancing physical activity across South Dublin County, with a particular emphasis on inclusion and engagement of non-active members of the community. 

In 2025, 58 first-time applications were received for Sports Development Grants from across all Local Electoral Areas. A total of 22 first-time applications were approved, with the remaining applications either unsuccessful or withdrawn. 

Reasons for unsuccessful applications were consistent with those under the Community Grants Programme and included ineligibility under the scheme criteria, applicants based outside the administrative area, or the exhaustion of available funding. 

The geographic breakdown of first-time Sports Development Grant applications in 2025 was as follows: 

• Rathfarnham/Templeogue: 10 applications (5 approved)
• Lucan: 8 applications (6 approved)
• Clondalkin: 7 applications (3 approved)
• Tallaght Central: 6 applications (3 approved)
• Tallaght South: 6 applications (2 approved)
• Firhouse/Bohernabreena: 6 applications (3 approved)
• Outside the county: 15 applications (none approved)

Typical applicant organisations included schools, football, basketball and volleyball clubs, and scouting groups.