The Federation of Irish Sport has published its 2026 Pre-Budget submission, outlining two clear financial requests of the Government for the next year and beyond.

In doing so, it is calling for a decisive Budget 2026 commitment to secure the role of sport in Ireland as a driver of health, community, and economic growth.

The Federation has outlined the case for sustainable investment to safeguard and grow the sector, not only in terms of places and spaces but also in the human capital required to sustain an active population.

The primary request is for a 10% Compound Increase in Core Funding from 2025 to 2028. This would amount to a €3 million increase in core funding in 2026, and a 10% rise in each of the following three years, as part of the already agreed move to a multi-annual model.

The National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships are the engines of citizens’ engagement with and continued participation in sport.

A multi-annual increase in Core Funding will provide stability and financial clarity, enabling them to plan for long-term development and retain good staff.

This will have a direct impact on improving public health and well-being, fostering social inclusion, while also driving economic growth and increasing tax revenues.

The second key ask for Sport in Budget 2026 is for a government commitment to research and publish a report on an additional 1% betting levy for sport.

The creation of an additional 1% levy would yield approximately €40-50 million per annum in extra funding for sports.

This has been a long-term goal of sport, but switching to a request for a formal analysis initially is a smart move, as it is easier to deliver politically and, if the numbers are proven, makes this transformative move more likely in the long term.

“The Government has the power to make a meaningful impact on the sports sector in Ireland by recognising Sport’s social, health, and economic value and to prioritise core funding for long-term impact,” said Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport.

“The return on investment is clear. For every €100 invested in sport, the return is €209.”

“While investment by Government in Sport and Physical Activity has increased significantly over the lifetime of the National Sports Policy, it is time for sport funding in Ireland to be in line with our European counterparts and match the EU average.”

“With the current National Sports Policy in its final two years, we want Government to recognise Sport as a public good within national policy going forwards. Backing sport means backing communities all over the country.”

The submission outlines in detail the comparison to European levels of funding and also states the case for a structural approach to employment across the sector, one already in place across professions like teaching and nursing and in the public service.

Click here for the full submission.

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Check out our exclusive interview on this subject with Mary O’Connor

 

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS AUTUMN EVENTS

 

 

On Wednesday, September 10th, we will host a special event looking at Future Proofing Irish Sport, including the use of AI in sport.

 

 

Then on September 25th we will host our Annual Children in Sport Conference, on October 14th, our Annual Sport for Social Good Event, in November a new event focused on Sustainability in Sport and in December our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference, in partnership with Lidl.

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