- €35m package for sports clubs and organisations facing increased energy costs
- Extra €4m to support High Performance in lead-in to 2024 Paris Olympics
- Extra €4m for Sport Ireland for delivery of Sport Action Plan
In response to the Budget 2023 the Federation of Irish Sport welcomes the support to sports clubs and organisations in assisting with increased energy costs associated with facility use. It is a much-needed support, and the Federation recognises the backing of Minister Chambers and the department on this measure.
In addition to the €35 million package there is also an addition of an €8 million increase for high-level performance sport, a new coaching fund and completion of the national swimming strategy.
The Federation also recognises that since the publication of the National Sport Policy (NSP) in 2018 there has been an increase of 57% on the 2018 budget for sport (111m) to a budget of €174.8m in 2023. In addition, current funding to Sport Ireland in 2023 is €89.448m which is an increase of 73% on the figure of €51.6m in 2018. The increase in funding is recognition of the vital importance the sector plays in Irish society economically and socially. The commitment from government to continue to support the sector is welcome and underpins the commitment to doubling funding for the sector over the lifetime of the NSP.
“The Federation welcomes the energy subsidy provision in Budget 2023 for the sector as it is much needed to keep our facilities running during the winter months. We are encouraged that the increase in funding will provide the necessary means to support NGBs and LSPs in their work and is an indication of the governments commitment to support the core activities of our members” Federation CEO Mary O’Connor said.
The Federation of Irish Sport is confident that the measures proposed by it in relation to fulfilling Action 3.7 of the Sports Policy action plan 2021-2023, will provide the Department of Finance, and Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with feasible reforms to the taxation system to have a sustained solution to reducing NGB and LSP reliance on government funding and looks forward to working with Minister Chambers and the department further on this matter.
In addition to this the federation will also continue to engage on the important topics of sugar tax reallocation and the tackling of the scourge of problematic gambling. Both of which will continue to be a burden on the nation if not addressed.
