Sport Ireland has been awarded €1.4m in Healthy Ireland funding by the Department of Health to support the delivery of community-based and national health-promotion initiatives.
Healthy Ireland, A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025, is the national action plan to enhance the health and wellbeing of the people of Ireland for future generations.
This allocation will support Sport Ireland’s work in promoting physical activity and overall health and wellbeing.
The funding of €1,405,000 in 2024 will support the national programmes of Get Ireland Walking, Running, Swimming and Cycling, Special Olympics, GAA Healthy Clubs, Get Ireland Active, and the Sláintecare and Physical Activity for Health programmes.
@430,000 will be distributed to six of the local sports partnerships in Limerick, Longford, Mayo, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.
Cork LSP will get €160,000 towards the WellComm Active, and Laois Sports Partnership will get @65,000 towards its Prime Time of Life initiative.
Get Ireland Walking, Cycling and Swimming each get €120,000 towards those programmes, through th respective National Governing Bodies, with Mountaineering Ireland taking the lead on Walking.
The Healthy Clubs Programme of the GAA, and the Young Athletes Programme from Special Olympics are among the other programmes to be funded, as well as a Healthy Campus initiative from Student Sport Ireland.
“This funding is an important investment in our future, helping to ensure that people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can be enabled to lead active lives, whether at home, at work or at play,” said Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke.
“Sport Ireland is an important partner in promoting physical activity and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to their commitment to the objectives of Healthy Ireland.”
“As a Government, we are committed to providing everyone, of every age and ability, with the opportunity to participate in sport,” added Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne.
“Sport has the transformative power to bring people together, break barriers and build healthier, happier lives. This funding will support a wide range of projects and programmes designed to help people living in all communities to become more active, more often.
“We’re very happy to continue our partnership with Healthy Ireland and to play a central role in delivering programmes that positively impact the health of individuals and communities,” said Dr Una May, CEO of Sport Ireland.
“We know that physical activity not only improves physical health but also enhances mental wellbeing and strengthens community bonds. Through initiatives such as Get Ireland Active, Get Ireland Walking, and the Physical Activity for Health Programme, we, together with the Department of Health, are addressing key health challenges and breaking down barriers to participation.”
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