The “unprecedented” announcement was made today (Monday 2 Nov) by Catherine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media, and the Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs, Jack Chambers.
Martin stated: “The government recognises the vital contribution that sport has made to public health throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. While it is appreciated that this is a difficult time for sports organisations and individuals alike, sport has continued to respond and react to the evolving situation through innovative ways in keeping people engaged and active.
“The funding allocated by Sport Ireland today will protect the national sporting infrastructure and provide financial stability to the sector in the uncertain months ahead. Earlier this month I announced a significant increase in the budget for sport in 2021, which will provide further resilience to the sport sector as we look to emerge from the current crisis.”
Sport Ireland chairman Kieran Mulvey said: “While the circumstances are unfortunate, Sport Ireland’s investment in 2020 is the largest ever investment package for sport.”
The Sport Ireland statement added: “This will address the existential threat to National Governing Bodies and their club networks, allowing sports organisations to offset significant losses incurred in recent months and add a semblance of certainty to planning for 2021.
“The significant investment will reach all levels of the sport sector with National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and thousands of grassroots clubs across Ireland set to benefit.”
John Treacy, chief executive of Sport Ireland, added: “Sport has shown itself to be incredibly resilient throughout the Covid-19 restrictions, having made a critical contribution to Irish life with more people being active than ever before.”
Total Irish sport governing body funding allocations (€)
- Gaelic Games (GAA, LGFA, Camogie, GAA Handball) – 30,795,000
- Irish Rugby Football Union – 18,000,000
- Football Association of Ireland – 13,000,000
- Golf Ireland/CGI – 2,730,000
- Cricket Ireland – 1,498,500
- Gymnastics Ireland – 1,380,000
- Basketball Ireland – 1,157,500
- Horse Sport Ireland – 1,040,000
- Tennis Ireland – 950,000
- Athletics Ireland – 805,000
- Swim Ireland – 780,000
- Irish Sailing – 650,000
- Irish Athletic Boxing Association – 645,000
- Cycling Ireland – 533,000
- Badminton Ireland – 369,000
- Hockey Ireland – 240,500
- Triathlon Ireland – 235,500
- Rowing Ireland – 149,000
- Irish Martial Arts Commission – 120,000
- National Community Games – 110,000
- Archery Ireland – 101,000
- Student Sport Ireland – 95,000
- Irish Orienteering Association – 77,000
- Volleyball Ireland – 71,500
- Irish Underwater Council – 70,000
- Fencing Ireland – 59,000
- Motor Cycling Ireland – 50,000
- Irish Surfing Association – 50,000
- Bowling League of Ireland – 50,000
- Canoeing Ireland – 48,000
- ONAKAI – 40,000
- Pitch and Putt Ireland – 39,000
- Irish Squash – 38,000
- Racquetball Association of Ireland – 33,000
- Special Olympics Ireland – 348,000
- IWA Sport – 194,000
- Vision Sports Ireland – 97,500
- Irish Judo Association – 24,000
- Irish Ice Hockey Association – 20,000
- Rugby League Ireland – 19,000
- Bol Chumann na hÉireann – 12,500
Test comment.