Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
87. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the level of funding earmarked for the development of grassroots football academies and player development; if he will commit to fully funding the budget request this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43447/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 to maximise the potential of Irish football. This is on foot of the Programme for Government commitment to exploring new mechanisms for the creation of football academies.
This investment builds on the additional funding of €1 million provided by my department to the FAI in 2024 which enabled it to produce its League of Ireland Global Findings Report on developing football academies in Ireland, including an audit of existing academy structures and needs. That funding also enabled the appointment by the FAI of an Academies Administrator to support the development of new academy programmes and to track their impact.
Specific details regarding how the €3 million investment will be channelled will be set out in due course following engagement between the FAI and Sport Ireland, the development agency for Irish sport. That engagement is ongoing and I have met with Sport Ireland and the FAI on this matter. I note and commend a recent series of appointments of Academy Directors in League of Ireland clubs that are supported by this investment.
Sport Ireland is continuing to provide guidance and support to the FAI to establish suitable structures and mechanisms to oversee the distribution of funding and supports to clubs, including the need for clubs to sign a funding agreement with the FAI. I expect that the FAI will begin to draw down funding for academies in the coming period.
The Government is committed to supporting the development of Ireland’s sporting ecosystem support for football academies is a key example of that commitment in action.
