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, including Westmeath Sports Partnership, through Sport Ireland, for 2024.
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.
Westmeath Sports Partnership is to receive its highest ever funding allocation with Sport Ireland approving a total of €362,201. The record funding includes a total of €7,000 for Women in Sport initiatives.
A total of €41,000 is being provided for Programme funding this year for activities across Co. Westmeath.
€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.
This is record funding of Core investment into NGBs and LSPs, increasing by almost €11.9m over the lifecycle of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., said: “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.
The sport 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 Sport Ireland National Sports Campus today at the 2024 core funding investment announcement, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., said: “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. The continued increase in core funding for sports bodies demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting Irish sport and will ensure that sport bodies can continue to provide valuable opportunities for everyone to participate in sport, in line with our National Sports Policy.
Around the country, Local Sports Partnerships are doing excellent work in supporting participation in sport and physical activity, at local level. The investment package of €11.4 million announced today will provide continued support to the network of 29 Local Sports Partnership in their local work. The investment of €1 million to support Sport Inclusion Disability Officers at local level will also support the valuable, inclusive work that our Local Sports Partnerships undertake.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Dr. Úna May, commented: “A record level of investment this year and throughout the Life Cycle of the National Sports Policy demonstrates the Government’s sustained commitment to supporting the development of a strong sport sector. Sport Ireland welcomes this additional investment and is confident the NGBs, LSPs and Funded Bodies will continue to play a vital role as we enter the latter stages of the Government’s National Sports Policy.”
Sport Ireland’s Chairperson John Foley said: “On behalf of the Sport Ireland board I would like to welcome this crucial investment which will support the continued development of sport in Ireland. Our NGBs, LSPs and Funded Bodies are better supported than ever to deliver against broader Government objectives and the importance of sport in society is very much reflected in today’s announcement.”
