Tag Archives: sports clubs

A NUMBER of sports clubs in Clare could “go to the wall,” after being unable to fundraise during the pandemic, a local councillor has warned. Councillor Mark Nestor told the May meeting of Clare County Council that while everyone welcomes the fact that clubs are allowed to return to some of their activities, concerns are mounting over their financial viability in the aftermath of the lockdowns. “It’s great that clubs can now go back to their activities,” he said. “That’s a very welcome thing, but some have been in touch about their rental costs when it comes to accessing facilities. It’s particularly true for soccer clubs. For example, they might have to rent twice in the week with training and then for their games. In some cases, they simply cannot meet the financial costs. That’s down to the fact they haven’t been able to fundraise for over a year. Some clubs have informed me that they will go to the …

The Government’s Valuation Bill, which was debated in the Seanad this week, will see voluntary sports clubs forced to pay commercial rates, while trying to generate an income, a Fianna Fáil senator has claimed. Senator Mark Daly commented, “The Valuation Act, which was brought forward in the Dáil by my colleague, Deputy Barry Cowen, was designed to reduce unfair rates by limiting the charges to premises serviced by a bar. However, an amendment introduced by Minister of State Simon Harris will see sports clubs charged rates on income generated from areas other bars. This could see organisations forced to pay commercial rates for renting out sports halls, meeting rooms or other facilities. “I am urging the Government to reconsider its amendment, which goes much further than the original legislation was intended. While I believe that rates should be paid on the bar areas in these clubs, the imposition of rates on other facilities, which are essential revenue raising tools for …

The move by the Department of Finance to hand sports clubs with bars, or other commercial facilities, a partial exemption on their commercial rates has met with approval from Senator Tony Mulcahy. He received confirmation from Minister of State at the Department, Simon Harris that he will be introducing an amendment to the Valuation Bill, which will give way to the change. “At present sports club facilities are exempt from rates. However, where a sports club has a bar all of its premises are valued for rates purposes including buildings that are purely for sporting purposes. This situation is seen as placing an unfair burden on many local clubs that are a key part of their community,” explained Senator Mulcahy. The Fine Gael senator said, “Under this amendment, community sports clubs will only be liable for rates on buildings that are used for the generation of income. If a sports club’s only commercial facility is the bar then it is …