Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
38. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if consideration will be given to the Federation of Sport pre-budget submission request for a 10% compound increase in sport funding for the national governing bodies, local sports partnerships and other funded bodies over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52198/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if core funding for national governing bodies (NGB) of sport in Ireland and local sports partnerships (LSP) will be increased by ten percent for 2026, as per the pre-budget submission by an organisation (details supplied), if the Minister understands the urgency of this funding requirement to continue the work of NGBs and LSPs in facilitating widespread participation in sport and the production of high-performance athletes and sporting activity; if he will agree that the ask is relatively small in the context of the overall budget, at just over €3 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51293/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if core funding for national governing bodies of sport in Ireland (NGBs) and local sports partnerships (LSPs) will be increased by ten percent for each of the next three years, as per the pre-budget submission by an organisation (details supplied), if the Minister understands the urgency of this funding requirement to continue the work of NGBs and LSPs in facilitating widespread participation in sport and the production of high-performance athletes and sporting activity, if he will agree that the ask is relatively small in the context of the overall budget, at just over €3 million compound per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51294/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if core funding for national governing bodies of sport and local sports partnerships will be increased in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52400/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 49, 55 and 71 together.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through its network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), recognised National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs), and other relevant sporting organisations.
Core funding allocations for individual NGBs and LSPs for 2026 will be decided by Sport Ireland. For 2025, Sport Ireland allocated €31.3 million to National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, a 76% increase in funding compared to 2018.
The National Sports Policy committed the Government to doubling funding to sport to more than €220 million by 2027 and I am pleased to note that this target has been achieved two years ahead of schedule with €230 million for sport allocated in the last budget.
As Minister for Sport, I am committed to supporting the wider sports sector and building on what has been achieved to date.
I have received the Federation of Sport's pre-budget submission and funding for sport in 2026 will be considered in the context of the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
