MORE than 60 GAA clubs across the north applied to a controversial community hall grant scheme yet only two were successful.
The scheme was launched by former Stormont first minister Arlene Foster and DUP communities minister Paul Givan during a visit to an Orange hall last year.
Applicants to the Community Halls Pilot Programme were eligible to claim up to £25,000.
It last emerged that most successful applicants to the scheme, which initially had £500,000 set aside but later rose to £1.9m, had links to the loyal orders and included a pipe band.
In the wake of criticism that the scheme favoured one section of the community Mr Givan said the accusations amounted to "narrow-minded sectarianism".
However figures obtained by the Irish News reveal that of 850 applicants to the scheme 61 were from GAA clubs – which equates to seven per cent of total applicants.
However, just two of the clubs were successful, Erin’s Own GAC, Cargin, Co Antrim and Clonduff GAC in Co Down.
Two Ancient Order of Hibernian divisions and a handful of Irish language centres also received cash awards.
The grant scheme announcement came just weeks after Mr Givan scrapped the £50,000 Líofa bursary scheme providing grants for children learning Irish. The bursary was later re-instated.
