Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

744. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to any grant schemes at a European level that sports clubs here may apply directly for; if so, if he will provide the relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49451/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Erasmus+ 2014-2020 is the new EU Programme for education, training, youth and sport and will for the first time include a specific sport chapter.  The main focus of the sport chapter of the Erasmus+ Programme will be grassroots sports.  The objectives of the sport chapter include promoting voluntary activities in sport, together with social inclusion, equal opportunities and awareness of the importance of health-enhancing physical activity through increased participation in, and equal access to sport for all.

Grassroots organisations will be invited to participate by creating partnerships with similar organisations from other EU Member States.  Funding support will be available for transnational collaborative partnerships, not-for-profit European sport events, for initiatives strengthening the evidence base for policy making in sport and encouraging dialogue among European sport stakeholders. Given the focus on grassroots sports, there is an opportunity for Irish sporting organisations to benefit from the programme.