Keeping Cork Active
June 20th, 2025
Cork – Cork Sports Partnership is delighted to announce the launch of a new Gym and Exercise Equipment Grant Scheme for adult disability services in Cork, funded through Sport Ireland’s Dormant Accounts Fund as part of the Sports Inclusion Disability Capital Programme.
This targeted scheme, coordinated by Cork Sports Partnership, will see an investment of over €30,000 in small-scale gym, exercise, and mobility equipment across Cork’s adult disability services. The scheme aims to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in regular physical activity by enabling services to deliver on-site fitness and exercise programmes in a more sustainable and accessible way.
Eligible equipment includes a wide range of resistance (e.g. dumbbells, barbells), cardio (e.g. treadmills, exercise bikes), and mobility tools (e.g. mats, balance boards). Services may apply for grants of up to €7,500, with funding decisions based on the quality and need outlined in each application.
“Disability Services play a vital role in supporting people with disabilities to get and stay active. Cork Sports Partnership is committed to working closely with services to enable more people with disabilities to get physically active. This scheme aims to provide additional support to services to enhance exercise and physical activity opportunities and offerings on a more regular and ongoing basis.”
— Maurice O’Sullivan, Strategic Operations Manager, Cork Sports Partnership
“Physical activity plays a powerful role in supporting the overall health, wellbeing, and independence of people with disabilities. Over the past year, Cork Sports Partnership has received an increasing number of requests from adult disability services looking to improve their exercise spaces and access to equipment. This scheme directly responds to those needs, helping services to provide safe, engaging, and accessible physical activity opportunities for those they support.”
— Sinéad Kelly, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer, Cork Sports Partnership
Applications for the scheme will open on Friday, June 20th and will close at 5pm on Friday, July 18th. Cork-based adult disability services, including individual centres or collaborative groups, are encouraged to apply via the online form available at https://form.jotform.com/251674157369366.
All applications will be assessed by Cork Sports Partnership, with funding offers issued by August 1st. Equipment must be purchased and installed within three months of funding approval, and a final project report will be required in late 2025.
This initiative aligns with Cork Sports Partnership’s ongoing commitment to increasing access and participation in physical activity among people of all ages and abilities. It represents a meaningful step forward in supporting inclusive, health-enhancing opportunities for adults with disabilities.
For further information about the scheme, please contact:
Sinéad Kelly, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer at [email protected]
ENDS
About Cork Sports Partnership
Cork Sports Partnership, a local sports partnership supported by Sport Ireland, works to increase participation in sport and physical activity in Cork through a collaborative approach with communities, schools, disability services, clubs, and national governing bodies of sport.
Image Caption:
Sinéad Kelly, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer, Cork Sports Partnership and Maurice O’Sullivan, Strategic Operations Manager, Cork Sports Partnership, launching the Gym and Exercise Equipment Scheme for Cork Disability Services.