Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 July 2025
1369. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the means by which Sport Ireland’s planned disability lead and associated grants to inclusive clubs will be resourced; the participation targets for people with disabilities under current policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43392/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 contains a commitment to increase participation in sport among those with a long-term illness or disability to 40% by 2027. Despite recent progress, there is an enduring participation gradient between persons with either a long-term illness or a disability and those without such illness or disability. Both this Government and Sport Ireland, the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, are extremely committed to making this participation gap in sport a thing of the past.
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 Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 and the Sport Ireland Statement and Commitment to Action in Disability Sport.
The role has the potential to be transformational and the Disability in Sport Lead will work with National Governing 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 also 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.
