Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
474. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding his Department has provided, directly and indirectly, to the League of Ireland per annum for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s current funding support for the development of football in Ireland is channelled, via Sport Ireland, to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). The State has allocated approximately €80 million in current funding to FAI between 2019 and 2025, to support football development and grow participation. The bulk of this funding goes towards the FAI’s Youth Field Sports grants, which are aimed at encouraging and creating more opportunities for young people to participate in football through coaching and games development supports at local level. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to FAI funding for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
Significant capital funding has been granted to football projects around the country in recent years. Under the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), €48.9 million has been allocated to stadium development projects at Finn Harps, Dalymount Park, Sligo Rovers and Wexford FC.
In addition, €75.6 million has been allocated to support the development of 1,005 grassroots club football facilities nationwide, including League of Ireland clubs, under the 2020 and 2023 rounds of the Community Sport Facilities Fund.
As part of Budget 2026, I was pleased to announce first year funding of €3 million as part of a multi-annual allocation to support the development of a modern and professional soccer academy system that will provide the structures and pathways required to support future generations of Irish players, male and female. This builds on the additional funding of €1 million provided by my Department to the FAI in 2024 which enabled it to produce a detailed report on the League of Ireland academies system.
The Government is committed to supporting the development of Ireland’s sporting ecosystem and the support that continues to be provided for football is a key example of that commitment in action.
