€78.9 million in Covid funding has been announced today for sporting bodies to help in the recovery from the Covid pandemic.
It comes under five separate streams to aSsist clubs, national governing bodies and local sports partnerships find and fund the rights ways back to physical activity.
The bulk of the money will go to the three main field sports with the GAA getting €20 million, the FAI €19 million and the IRFU €18 million to distribute through various channels of those sports.
Others to gain include Cricket Ireland to the tune of €1.5 million, Basketball Ireland with €1.01 million, Golf Ireland with €900,000, and Athletics Ireland with €650,000.
Boxing, Gymnastics, Camogie and Special Olympics will each get €500,000 to offset the cost and the disruption felt over the past two years and continuing into 2022.
Boxing, Swimming, Sailing, Hockey, Badminton, MotorSport, Triathlon, Volleyball, Squash, Canoeing, Wheelchair Sport and GAA Handball are among others that will gain a six-figure sum in funding.
An additional €1.6 million will be made available to Local Sports Partnerships with Limerick and Cork gaining the largest single payments from this stream.
€5.3 million is additionally being provided to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) for the provision of sports equipment including the roll-out of defibrillators for clubs, kits for school children and state of the art equipment for our high-performance athletes.
“As a nation so fond of sports, we are very supportive of our clubs, our competitors and of course everyone who enjoys physical activity,” said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin.
“But the last two years have been two of the most challenging for all sports organisations and the announcement of this funding will come as a relief for the sports sector.”
“It’s important that the sports sector is on a firm financial footing. The additional funding, coupled with the increase in the budget for sport in 2022, will ensure the long-term viability of our sports organisations, high-performance sport and will make sure sport remains accessible to all. These emergency funds will reach all corners of the country, a myriad of activities and ensure clubs and grassroots groups continue their great work.”
“I welcome today’s allocations announced by Sport Ireland, which recognise the immense contribution that sport and physical activity has made to Ireland’s response to the pandemic,” added Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs Jack Chambers.
“All facets of society continue to adjust as the public health situation evolves and our National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnership and sports clubs are to be commended on how they have adapted. Government understands that this has been challenging for all and the funding allocated today will assist the sector as it continues to play an important role in supporting all members of society getting and staying active.”
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