Age & Opportunity funding for 25 groups in county
Age & Opportunity has announced the distribution of its Active National Grant allocations 2023, with significant funding for sport and physical activity amongst older people.
The Grant Scheme is a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland, providing €9,120 to 25 groups in Meath this year.
Nationwide €317,430 is being awarded to 909 organisations, ranging from active retirement groups to sports clubs and nursing and day care centres.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, said: “The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has already had a positive impact on communities across Ireland and has contributed towards improving the opportunities for older people to get involved in sports and physical activity. As a Government, we want to see older people helped to be more active and this year’s funding will support sports clubs, Irish Countrywomen’s Association Guilds, and Active Retirement Associations in meeting that goal.”
The successful Meath groups are: St Elizabeth's Nursing Home, Athboy; North Kildare Bowls Club; Kilcloon ICA; Prosper Meath; Oldcastle Active Retirement; Meath Local Sports Partnership; Horace Plunkett ICA, Dunsany; Nobber Friendship Club; Moorehall Lodge Drogheda; Kilmesssan Bowls Club; Rathmolyon ICA; Trim Canoe Club; Bective ICA; Lismullen ICA; Bohermeen ARA; Dunshaughlin ICA; Ratoath ICA; Scurlogstown ICA; Dunboyne Nursing Home; Dunboyne ARA; Drumconrath Ladies Group; Ballinacree ICA; Kilmessan Active Retirement; Summerhill ICA; St Joseph's CNU Trim.
Chief executive of Sport Ireland, Dr Úna May, added: “We are delighted to continue our support of the Age & Opportunity National Grant Scheme which continues to be an important asset to local communities. By assisting with funding, we play a small part in providing better opportunities in our communities for our older generation to improve their physical and mental health through taking part in physical activity. The ongoing work has been a great success to date. I also want to acknowledge our national network of Local Sports Partnerships who together do wonderful work in communities across the country.”
Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, said: “We are delighted that this year 281 successful applications were from designated disadvantaged areas. There were 50 successful applications from nursing homes and 59 from day care centres. The renewed focus on providing meaningful activities in these settings is particularly welcome given the impact that Covid has had on older people in these settings.”