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More People, More Active, More Often
More People, More Active, More Often
EventsRegister Club
13
Dec

Major €80m Funding Boost for Sports to recover, grow and attract people nationwide

13-12-2021
  • €73.6 million in COVID-19 related funding
  • €5.3m for Sport Equipment

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jack Chambers T.D, together with Sport Ireland, have announced almost €80m for the sport sector under two separate support programmes.

Some €73.6m in Covid funding is being allocated under five separate streams to help sports organisations to recover and grow post pandemic, support our grassroots network of clubs and local sports partnerships, and ensure people of all ages and abilities return to sport and physical activity.

A further €5.3m is being provided to sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) for the provision of sports equipment including the roll out of defibrillators for clubs, kits for school children and state of the art equipment for our high-performance athletes.

Today’s announcement follows a commitment from both Ministers of a €65 million COVID-19 investment programme. Additional investment has been provided through the 2021 Sport Ireland budget providing total COVID support of €73.617 million to the sector. The timing of the schemes provides stability and certainty to the sports sector as it emerges from the pandemic and plans for 2022.

  • “

    As a nation so fond of sports, we are very supportive of our clubs, our competitors and of course everyone who enjoys physical activity. But the last two years have been two of the most challenging for all sports organisations and the announcement of this funding will come as a relief for the sports sector. It’s important that the sport sector is on a firm financial footing. The additional funding, coupled with the increase in the budget for sport in 2022, will ensure the long-term viability of our sports organisations, high performance sport and will make sure sport remains accessible to all. These emergency funds will reach all corners of the country, a myriad of activities and ensure clubs and grassroots groups continue their great work.

    Catherine Martin TD
    Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
  • “

    I welcome today’s allocations announced by Sport Ireland, which recognise the immense contribution that sport and physical activity has made to Ireland’s response to the pandemic. All facets of society continue to adjust as the public health situation evolves and our National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnership and sports clubs are to be commended on how they have adapted. Government understands that this has been challenging for all and the funding allocated today will assist the sector as it continues to play an important role in supporting all members of society getting and staying active.

    Jack Chambers TD
    Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs
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Specific investment has also been provided for the disability sport sector in line with the SportForAll initiative with, amongst others, Special Olympics Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Paralympics Ireland receiving financial support. A number of the approved equipment grants are also specifically targeted at disability sport.

This investment recognises the disproportionate and unanticipated extent of COVID-19 restrictions on their activities and the difficulties associated with a resumption and return to normal levels of activity.

  • “

    Sport Ireland has engaged extensively with the sector since the onset of the pandemic to understand the pressure points and where organisations need support. This is reflected in the allocations made today by Sport Ireland, which also factor in the wider economic and social impact of sport. It was a priority of the Board of Sport Ireland that the needs of the disability sector were specifically addressed, with ring-fenced funding being allocated in the allocations. The recent budget announcement by the Ministers of an increase in the overall sports funding for 2022 has further reinforced that sense of confidence that support is available. We look forward to working with our funded bodies and a positive 2022.

    Kieran Mulvey
    Chairman of Sport Ireland

    The total amount of money available is designed to protect the existing physical and operational infrastructure of Irish sport. This is in recognition that any reconstruction of Irish sport would ultimately cost more over the long run.

    • “

      While organised sport has returned in a meaningful way in recent months, the impact of the restriction of the last two years is still being felt across the sector. Indoor sports in particular have been disproportionately affected, while a large number of outdoor sports have seen their commercial programmes hit. The funding announced by Sport Ireland will alleviate the pressure on these sports and help the wider club infrastructure to sustain their commendable efforts in providing for their membership. As throughout the pandemic, Sport Ireland remains available to our national sporting organisations to provide support and guidance where necessary.

      John Treacy
      Sport Ireland Chief Executive

      The COVID funding announced today is in addition to the COVID-19 contingency fund which was directed towards exceptional costs generated by the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, which were postponed for 12 months until this year. This contingency fund ensured National Governing Bodies were supported to address costs incurred that were beyond the scope of Sport Ireland’s High Performance Programme funding and other programme resources. Full details are set out in Appendix I.

      In relation to the separate equipment funding, Sport Ireland was requested to identify and prioritise proposals from NGBs and LSPs which would advance the Government’s National Sports Policy with a focus on the areas of participation, inclusion, female involvement in sport and delivery of the Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy 2021-2032.

      Following completion of their assessment process, Sport Ireland recommended grants totalling €5.3m broken down as follows:

      • €3.4m to support NGBs further advance participation opportunities;
      • €1.4m to support NGBs advance the strategic objectives of the Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy; and
      • €0.5m to Local Sports Partnerships to advance participation and physical opportunities at a community level.

      Full details of these equipment grants are shown in Appendix II.

      Appendix I

      COVID Supports

      Scheme One – IRFU, FAI, GAA

      This specific fund was created in recognition of the particular operational challenges facing the three largest field sports. These organisations’ ability to generate commercial income continued to be severely disrupted throughout 2021.

      Scheme Two – NGB Resilience Fund

      Broadly, the allocations cover the loss of income from events, ticket sales, sponsorship, affiliation & membership fees, courses, services and the additional costs arising from the implementation of social distancing and Covid-19 protocols. It is acknowledged that indoor sports and Governing Bodies who are more reliant on commercial activity and have more diverse streams of income will require greater support.

      Scheme Three – Club Resilience Fund

      A large number of the challenges faced by Governing Bodies are replicated across their Club network with income from affiliation & membership fees, events, competition, coaching courses and ancillary services all reduced. The additional costs arising from the implementation of social distancing and Covid-19 protocols has also had a significant impact on Club activities where the sharing of equipment, facilities and resources is common place.  In addition, there are a number of Governing Bodies whose network of Clubs consist of commercial organisations operating out of dedicated facilities with full time staff and strong annual turnovers. Such organisations are more reliant on membership, competition and coaching revenues as well as income from ancillary sporting and non-sporting commercial activity.

      Sport Ireland will not fund Clubs, Affiliates, Provinces or Branches directly and funding will be accessed through programmes established by the Governing Body.

      Scheme Four – Swimming Pool & Facilities Fund

      This scheme provides specific funding to support the reopening and continued viability of Swimming Pools along with the strategic facilities of National Governing Bodies & Local Sports Partnerships.

      A Funding Scheme for swimming pools will be designed and delivered by Ireland Active in consultation with Sport Ireland.

      Scheme Five – Resumption of Sport & Physical Activity

      A Restart Fund to support the return of sport and physical activity post pandemic has been made available.

      The Scheme seeks to support a number of key focus areas

      • A Disability Sport Fund
      • Older Adults Support
      • Third Level Education Support
      • NGB Grassroots & Indoor Sport Support
      • LSP Small Grant Scheme
      • LSP Grassroots Sport Support

      Notes to the Editor:

      Total Overall NGB Allocations

      Organisation Scheme One  Scheme Two  Scheme Three  Scheme Five  Total
      Gaelic Athletic Association 20,000,000 – – – 20,000,000
      Football Association of Ireland 19,000,000 – – – 19,000,000
      Irish Rugby Football Union 18,000,000 – – – 18,000,000
                 
      Field Sports Total 57,000,000 – –   57,000,000
                 
      Special Olympics Ireland – – – 500,000 500,000
      Irish Wheelchair Association Sport       142,000 142,000
      CARA       80,000 80,000
      Paralympics Ireland       65,000 65,000
      Vision Sports Ireland – – – 50,000 50,000
      Disability Sport Total – – – 837,000 837,000
                 
                 
      Cricket Ireland – 1,300,000 200,000 – 1,500,000
      Basketball Ireland – 360,000 550,000 100,000 1,010,000
      Golf Ireland – – 700,000 200,000 900,000
      Athletics Ireland – – 650,000 – 650,000
      Irish Athletic Boxing Association   60,000 400,000 50,000 510,000
      Gymnastics Ireland   – 500,000 – 500,000
      The Camogie Association – 500,000 – – 500,000
      Irish Martial Arts Commission – – 225,000 215,000 440,000
      Swim Ireland – – 300,000 125,000 425,000
      Horse Sport Ireland – – 300,000 200,000 500,000
      Hockey Ireland – – 350,000 – 350,000
      Irish Sailing – – 350,000 – 350,000
      Badminton Ireland – 130,000 – 200,000 330,000
      Motor Sport Ireland – 120,000 150,000 50,000 320,000
      Triathlon Ireland – 186,000 125,000 – 311,000
      Volleyball Ireland – – – 200,000 200,000
      Irish Squash – – 60,000 125,000 185,000
      Rowing Ireland – 85,000 100,000 – 185,000
      National Community Games – 100,000 50,000 – 150,000
      Irish Underwater Council / Diving Ireland – 10,000 110,000 – 120,000
      Canoeing Ireland – – 18,000 100,000 118,000
      GAA Handball – – – 100,000 100,000
      Archery Ireland – 32,000 50,000 7,000 89,000
      Fencing Ireland – 5,000 70,000 – 75,000
      Irish Judo Association   15,000 20,000 35,000 70,000
      Motorcycling Ireland – 50,000 – – 50,000
      Olympic Handball – – – 40,000 40,000
      Bowling League of Ireland   – 40,000 – 40,000
      Rugby League Ireland   – 15,000 20,000 35,000
      Irish Taekwondo Union – 15,000 10,000 – 25,000
      ONAKAI – – 25,000 – 25,000
      Racquetball Association of Ireland   5,000 20,000 – 25,000
      Weightlifting Ireland – – 20,000 3,000 23,000
      Tug of War – 12,000 – 10,000 22,000
      Irish Orienteering Association – – – 20,000 20,000
      Irish Surfing – – – 20,000 20,000
      American Football Ireland – – 8,000 10,000 18,000
      Bol Chumann na hÉireann – – 15,000 – 15,000
      Table Tennis Ireland – – – 10,000 10,000
      Angling Council Of Ireland – – – 10,000 10,000
      Federation of Irish Sport – – 14,000 – 14,000
      Totals 57,000,000 2,985,000 5,445,000 1,850,000 10,280,000

       

      LSP Small Grant Scheme

      Carlow Sports Partnership €                                 28,800
      Cavan Sports Partnership €                                 76,000
      Clare Sports Partnership €                                 62,200
      Cork Sports Partnership €                               115,000
      Donegal Sports Partnership €                                 40,600
      Dublin City Sport and Wellbeing Partnership €                                 69,000
      Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership €                                 44,600
      Fingal Sports Partnership €                                 40,600
      Galway Sports Partnership €                                 49,000
      Kerry Recreation and Sports Partnership €                                 76,000
      Kildare Sports Partnership €                                 53,000
      Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership €                                 43,000
      Laois Sports Partnership €                                 29,355
      Leitrim Sports Partnership €                                 62,200
      Limerick Sports Partnership €                               142,000
      Longford Sports Partnership €                                 55,200
      Louth Sports Partnership €                                 44,600
      Mayo Sports Partnership €                                 93,400
      Meath Local Sports Partnership €                                 35,800
      Monaghan Sports Partnership €                                 14,850
      Offaly Sports Partnership €                                 33,800
      Roscommon Sports Partnership €                                 20,300
      Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership €                                 76,000
      South Dublin County Sports Partnership €                                 28,800
      Sports Active Wexford €                                 76,000
      Tipperary Sports Partnership €                                 66,800
      Waterford Sports Partnership €                                 32,455
      Westmeath Sports Partnership €                                 54,840
      Wicklow Sports Partnership €                                 35,800
      Total €                              1,600,000

      LSP Grassroots Sport Support

      Organisation Amount
      Carlow Sports Partnership €                         50,950
       Clare Sports Partnership  €                         38,644
       Cavan Sports Partnership  €                            9,490
       Cork Sports Partnership  €                         77,031
       Donegal Sports Partnership  €                         27,600
       Galway Sports Partnership  €                         49,000
       Kildare Sports Partnership  €                         29,750
       Laois Sports Partnership  €                         40,617
       Leitrim Sports Partnership  €                         20,400
       Limerick Sports Partnership  €                         62,665
       Longford Sports Partnership  €                         20,800
       Mayo Sports Partnership  €                         29,953
       Roscommon Sports Partnership  €                            5,650
       Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership  €                         28,991
       Tipperary Sports Partnership  €                            4,500
       Wicklow Sports Partnership  €                            3,960
      Total  €              500,000

      Full Investment Breakdown

      Organisation Scheme One   Scheme Two  Scheme Three  Scheme Four  Scheme Five  Total
       Gaelic Athletic Association 20,000,000 –    – –    20,000,000
       Football Association of Ireland 19,000,000 –    – –    19,000,000
       Irish Rugby Football Union 18,000,000 –    – –    18,000,000
                   
      Field Sports Total   57,000,000 –      –          57,000,000
                   
      Special Olympics Ireland  – –    –    500,000    500,000
       Irish Wheelchair Association Sport    142,000    142,000
       CARA 80,000  80,000
       Paralympics Ireland 65,000  65,000
       Vision Sports Ireland  – –    – 50,000  50,000
       Disability Sport Total   –   –      –        837,000    837,000
                   
                   
      Cricket Ireland  – 1,300,000  200,000 –  1,500,000
       Basketball Ireland  –    360,000  550,000    100,000  1,010,000
       Golf Ireland  – –  700,000    200,000    900,000
       Athletics Ireland  – –  650,000 –    650,000
       Irish Athletic Boxing Association     60,000  400,000 50,000    510,000
       Gymnastics Ireland   –  500,000 –    500,000
       The Camogie Association  –    500,000    – –    500,000
       Irish Martial Arts Commission  – –  225,000    215,000    440,000
       Swim Ireland  – –  300,000    125,000    425,000
       Horse Sport Ireland  – –  300,000    200,000    500,000
       Hockey Ireland  – –  350,000 –    350,000
       Irish Sailing  – –  350,000 –    350,000
       Badminton Ireland  –    130,000    –    200,000    330,000
       Motor Sport Ireland  –    120,000  150,000 50,000    320,000
       Triathlon Ireland  –    186,000  125,000 –    311,000
       Volleyball Ireland  – –    –   200,000    200,000
       Irish Squash  – –  60,000    125,000    185,000
       Rowing Ireland  – 85,000  100,000 –    185,000
       National Community Games  –    100,000  50,000 –    150,000
       Irish Underwater Council / Diving Ireland  – 10,000  110,000 –    120,000
       Canoeing Ireland  – –  18,000    100,000    118,000
       GAA Handball  – –    –    100,000    100,000
       Archery Ireland  – 32,000  50,000   7,000  89,000
       Fencing Ireland  –   5,000  70,000 –  75,000
       Irish Judo Association     15,000  20,000 35,000  70,000
       Motorcycling Ireland  – 50,000    – –  50,000
       Olympic Handball  – –    – 40,000  40,000
       Bowling League of Ireland   –  40,000 –  40,000
       Rugby League Ireland   –  15,000 20,000  35,000
       Irish Taekwondo Union  – 15,000  10,000 –  25,000
       ONAKAI  – –  25,000 –  25,000
       Racquetball Association of Ireland   5,000  20,000 –  25,000
       Weightlifting Ireland  – –  20,000   3,000  23,000
       Tug of War  – 12,000    – 10,000  22,000
       Irish Orienteering Association  – –    – 20,000  20,000
       Irish Surfing  – –    – 20,000  20,000
       American Football Ireland  – –    8,000 10,000  18,000
       Bol Chumann na hÉireann  – –  15,000 –  15,000
       Table Tennis Ireland  – –    – 10,000  10,000
       Angling Council Of Ireland  – –    – 10,000  10,000
       Federation of Irish Sport  – –  14,000 –  14,000
       Age & Opportunity    100,000    100,000
       Student Sport Ireland    100,000    100,000
       Ireland Active    3,200,000 3,200,000
       Local Sports Partnership Network 2,100,000  2,100,000
       Totals 57,000,000  2,985,000  5,445,000  3,200,000  4,987,000   73,617,000

      Appendix II

      Sport Ireland Targeted Equipment Grants

      National Governing Bodies of Sport Organisation

      National Governing Bodies of Sport Organisation General Participation High Performance TOTAL
      Football Association of Ireland 395,000   €395,000
      Gymnastics Ireland   395,000 €395,000
      Horse Sport Ireland 330,304   64,696 €395,000
      Irish Rugby Football Union 395,000   €395,000
      Irish Sailing 102,000 293,000 €395,000
      Swim Ireland 359,000 36,000 €395,000
      Rowing Ireland   60,000 325,000 €385,000
      Gaelic Athletic Association 356,000   €356,000
      Irish Athletic Boxing Association 259,000   €259,000
      Canoeing Ireland 143,000 70,000 €213,000
      Badminton Ireland 140,000 45,700 €185,700
      Athletics Ireland 156,000 22,353 €178,353
      Cricket Ireland   47,000 110,000 €157,000
      Basketball Ireland 100,000   €100,000
      Olympic Handball 100,000   €100,000
      Snooker & Billiards Ireland 98,400     €98,400
      Irish Martial Arts Commission 89,000     €89,000
      Hockey Ireland    80,000   €80,000
      Angling Council of Ireland 60,000   €60,000
      Volleyball Ireland      55,000   €55,000
      Tug of War Ireland      50,000   €50,000
      Irish Underwater Council/Diving Ireland      35,000   €35,000
      Table Tennis Ireland      25,100   €25,100
      Irish Surfing      20,000   €20,000
      Tennis Ireland   12,500 €12,500
      Irish Wheelchair Association Sport      12,000   €12,000
      Total Funding Requests [NGBs] 3,386,804 1,454,249 €4,841,053

      Local Sports Partnerships (LSP’s)

      Carlow LSP € 42,800
      Cavan LSP € 22,461
      Clare LSP € 10,000
      Donegal LSP € 30,000
      Kerry LSP € 84,000
      Kildare LSP € 45,000
      Laois LSP € 38,803
      Leitrim LSP € 35,000
      Longford LSP € 25,000
      Meath LSP € 56,774
      Monaghan LSP €   5,500
      Offaly LSP € 20,000
      Sligo LSP 1 € 20,000
      Tipperary LSP € 36,900
      Waterford LSP €    9,800
      Total €482,038