Laois groups to receive physical activity funding for older people
21 groups across Laois to benefit from funding boost
Funding of €5,570 has been allocated to 21 groups across Laois to support physical activity for older people.
The funding, announced under the Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme, will go towards various local groups including Active Retirement, ICA and Tidy Towns.
Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, said: “Today’s funding announcement is very welcome news as the Government endeavours to provide people of all ages with the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has a positive impact on communities across Ireland and helps to provide opportunities for older people to get involved in sport and physical activity. I want to thank Age & Opportunity for their excellent work and I wish them continued success in their valuable work for communities all across Ireland.”
Speaking about the grant, Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May commented: Today’s grant funding is helping to create an Ireland where more older people can be more active and more connected. The long-running Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme has proven an excellent resource and I also want to acknowledge our own national network of Local Sports Partnerships who do wonderful work in communities across the country.”
Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, welcomed the ongoing partnership with Sport Ireland.
“Today’s grant funding is helping us create an Ireland where more older people are more active and more connected. We are delighted to note the number of successful applications from sports clubs who are seeing an increase in the numbers of older people joining their activities. Indeed many of them are specifically organising courses to cater for older persons.”
The successful Laois groups are:
50 + Active Age Group Portlaoise ARA, Abbeyleix ARA, Abbeyleix Day Care, Active in Retirement Group The Heath, Ballyroan ARA, Camross Tidy Town Group, Castletown ICA Guild, Emo Active Retirement, Happy Hearts ARI Portarlington, Hawthorn 60's Club, Irish Country Roads & Culture Trails, Killenard ARA, Laois Sports Partnership CLG, Muiriosa Foundation, Portarlington Women's Shed, Spink ICA, St Abbans A.C, SVT Activity and Wellness Hub, SVT Canoeing & Kayaking Club, The Swan Ladies Club, United Grooves School of Dance Europe.