The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, today announced a record investment of almost €30 million in core funding support to sporting organisations, through Sport Ireland, for 2024.
€17.3 million is being invested in the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) this year, an increase of €1.3 million on the 2023 figure. Investment in the network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) has increased by €1 million, with a total investment of €11.4 million being allocated across the 29 LSPs. This is the highest-ever level of Core investment into NGBs and LSPs, increasing by almost €11.9m over the lifecycle of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
“The National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships are at the heart of Irish sport and are key to achieving our aim of increasing participation in sport across the population. This significant investment of almost €30 million will support the implementation of important programmes and activities across a diverse range of sports throughout the country”, said Catherine Martin T.D.
She continued, “The sports sector has proven itself to be a resilient and vibrant sector, continuing to deliver increased opportunities for people to participate in sport despite the challenges of recent years. The Government’s increased investment in core funding for 2024, and in recent years, will assist in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our sporting organisations.”
Speaking at the core funding announcement, Thomas Byrne T.D. went on the clarify that “The overall core funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport has increased by 60% since 2018, from levels of €10.8 million then, to €17.3 million in 2024.”
“Around the country, Local Sports Partnerships are doing excellent work in supporting participation in sport and physical activity, at the local level. The investment package of €11.4 million announced today will provide continued support to the network of 29 Local Sports Partners in their local work. The investment of €1 million to support Sport Inclusion Disability Officers at a local level will also support the valuable, inclusive work that our Local Sports Partnerships undertake”, he further explained.
The investment has been further enhanced by the provision of an additional, once-off Government support package of €1.7m. This funding, distributed to the sector in December 2023 sought to recognise the increased costs associated with sports delivery in recent years and to ensure that NGBs and LSPs could commence 2024 in a strong financial position.
Additionally, Those NGBs who have not obtained the target of 40% gender balance on their boards will only be permitted to draw down 50% of their 2024 funding allocation from Sport Ireland until such time as they reach the 40% target. Sport Ireland will continue to provide support to NGBs towards achieving the target of 40% and will monitor and report on progress.
(Source: Gov.ie)
