Four Waterford GAA clubs deemed eligible for funding to install new EV charge points

Four sports clubs in County Waterford are among more than 220 clubs nationwide which are eligible to apply for funding for the installation of new EV Chargers on their grounds for their members and visitors.

The Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme is funded through the Government’s Shared Island Initiative and ZEVI infrastructure funding.

The €15m in funding announced this Monday covers the cost of installing electric vehicle charge points at sports club facilities affiliated to recognised national governing bodies.

In total, 48 clubs from across Northern Ireland and 179 from Ireland are now eligible to move to the next stage in the process.

The four clubs in Waterford which have been deemed eligible are: Mount Sion GAA Club, Ballysaggart GAA Club, Clashmore Kinsalebeg GAA Club and Kilrossanty GAA Club.

Eligible clubs in Waterford and elsewhere will be able to draw down funding for the installation of electric vehicle charging points, subject to reaching agreement with a Charge Point operator from a pre-approved panel.

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This should see an important ramping up of public EV charging in local communities across the island and offer the potential for clubs to generate income from those more commercially attractive sites. 

Welcoming the announcement, Taoiseach Simon Harris says he's delighted to see such a strong response to the initiative. "This is another example of the good work carried out by sports clubs across the entire country and the people involved who are making a positive impact in their towns and villages on this island. The €15m allocation from the Shared Island fund will help enhance access to public charging across our towns, villages and cities.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin, added: “The Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging scheme is another great example of the role sports clubs can play in the heart of their local communities. This infrastructure will be a wonderful resource, helping create a sustainable, shared future on this island. I want to thank all the volunteers who submitted applications, and I am delighted to see such a high proportion continue to the next phase.”  

The Scheme received a total of 295 applications of which 227 met qualifying and suitability criteria and are now eligible to apply for the final phase of the scheme.

The main reasons some applications were unsuccessful were not satisfying some minimum requirements including - no license submitted to facilitate site visits, no 3-phase electricity and/or no toilet facilities on site or within 500m.