Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 June 2025
182. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if there is funding available for disability inclusion in sport at grassroots level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34638/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government sets out an ambitious future for sport in Ireland where equality of access and opportunity is a key theme. Inclusion and diversity is an absolute priority for me in my role as Minister for Sport.
Despite recent progress, there is an enduring participation gap between persons with either a long-term illness or a disability and those without such illness or disability. Both the Department and Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department as the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport including the promotion of sports participation at all levels, are extremely committed to making this participation gap a thing of the past.
In advancing and evolving its commitment to disability inclusion in sport, Sport Ireland set out five clear statements of commitment, with accompanying actions on the topics of Change, Communications, Access, Capacity, Leadership.
Increased funding secured for sport in Budget 2025 enabled Sport Ireland to appoint a Disability in Sport Lead in February of this year. The creation of the post delivered on an action set out in both the Sport Action Plan 2024-2027 and the Sport Ireland Statement and Commitment to Action in Disability Sport. This was in turn reflected in the Programme for Government.
The role has the potential to be transformational and the Disability in Sport Lead will work with National Government Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships and other sporting bodies to develop and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport.
Additionally, Sport Ireland allocates €1.2 million at local level to fund a national network of Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDOs) aligned to each of the 29 Local Sports Partnerships in the country. The SIDOs work in a coordinating capacity with all relevant stakeholders to increase and sustain participation opportunities for all people with disabilities
Sport Ireland has allocated an additional €2.4 million for supporting disability sport focused NGBs to continue their work in this area. This investment will help ensure that anyone with a disability, at any level, grassroots and above, can avail of their absolute right to enjoy and reap the benefits of sport and physical activity.
