The Sports Energy Support Scheme (SESS) Funding Guidelines & Application Process NGBS – Phase II
INTRODUCTION
In 2022, the Government provided an additional investment of €35 million to support sporting organisations with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport e.g., indoor activity in winter, the provision of outdoor floodlighting etc. To date €19m has been distributed to Sport Ireland Recognised National Governing Bodies of Sport.
A second phase of the Scheme is now open. The eligibility period of this Scheme will extend to the end of May 2023.
Under the Scheme NGBs can now apply for:
(a) Any additional support required for increased energy costs from September 2022 to March 2023.
(b) Support towards the increased costs of energy for the months of April 2023 and May 2023.Funding will be made available to support both NGB affiliated Clubs and large scale national
sporting facilities, centres or stadiums owned/affiliated or connected to the NGB.General cost of living increases such as rising costs in accommodation, rent, rates or labour costs are not eligible. Fuel costs associated with machinery, vehicles, travel or transport do not qualify.
The cub statement of assurance to be submitted with the application form can be found here: Club Statement of Assurance 11th May 2023.docx
If you require any assistance, please email Athletics Ireland Club Development Manager , Dermot Mc Granaghan at DermotMcGranaghan@athleticsireland.ie
Closing date for clubs to submit to Athletics Ireland is Wednesday May 24th 5.00pm ( to allow Athletics Ireland to submit to Sport Ireland next day)
ELIGIBILITY
• The Sports Energy Support Scheme (SESS) will contribute to the increased energy costs associated with providing sporting activity only.
• The Eligibility period will relate to increased costs sustained between September 1st 2022 and May 31st 2023.
• Non Energy related increases are ineligible. These include increased costs in accommodation, rent, rates or labour costs.
• Fuel costs associated with machinery, vehicles, travel or transport do not qualify.
• Pre-existing debts or deficits do not qualify.
• Energy costs associated with non-sporting activity such as bars, restaurants etc. are not eligible under SESS; however, such trading activity may be eligible for support under the Government’s Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).
• Organisations applying for support must own/lease the sporting facilities or be the primary utility bill payer.
• The Scheme will be open to Sport Ireland Recognised/Funded NGBs. This is to ensure pre-existing levels of governance and operational assurances exist between Sport Ireland and those in direct receipt of funding.
• The Scheme is aimed at supporting Clubs in the Republic of Ireland only.
• Support will be capped at a maximum of €90,000 (average of €10k per month) for any one club/facility.
• The Scheme will not cover:
➢ Private/Commercial gyms, pools & sports facilities (Private/commercial enterprises are eligible to apply for TBESS)
➢ Local authority facilities
➢School or Third level sports facilities
PROCESS & TIMELINE
• The Scheme formally opens on Wednesday 10 May 2023.
• The closing date for applications will be 5pm Friday 26 May 2023.
• Sport Ireland will make an initial assessment on the level of requests.
• Depending on the level of submissions, the outcome of those deliberations (that is the overall level of funding allocation to each NGB) will be communicated to sports organisations in July 2023.
• Subject to approval and standard Terms & Conditions, the process of payment will begin thereafter.
• Grantee organisations will be required to disburse this funding to relevant clubs, affiliate organisations as soon as possible.
• Clubs in receipt of funding will need to be in a position to verify their request / increases to their Governing Body.
• Organisations in receipt of Energy Scheme support funding may be subject to audit as per Sport Ireland terms and conditions