A record annual sum of €25m has been unveiled to be invested by Government through Sport Ireland in High Performance Sport in 2024.
This is the highest ever level of investment into High Performance Sport in Ireland, both for an individual year and for an Olympic/Paralympic cycle, marking a huge step towards the investment objectives set out in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
There’s also been a substantial increase on the €59m invested in the Tokyo cycle, with more than €89 million invested from 2021 to 2024, reflecting the Government’s commitment to delivering long-term sustained progress.
Money talks and so far in the past year Irish athletes have won a total of 99 medals in ranking international competition, 41 Gold, 25 Silver and 33 Bronze. 46 of these have come in Senior age grades and 53 in under age events.
In the current Games Cycle there are 260 Medals already won out of a target set in the national Sports policy of 270.
33 athletes have been awarded the highest level of Podium funding. These include Ciara Mageean, mark English and Rhasidat Adeleke in athletics, Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry, Ellen Keane, Nicole Turner and Róisín Ní Ríain in Swimming, Kellie Harrington, Rhys McClenaghan and no fewer than 16 rowers.
This level of funding is set at €40,000. It is based on performance criteria and can be used in any way that the athlete and their teams deem to be in some way improving their chances of continuing to perform at the highest level.
An additional 31 athletes will receive €25,000 at the World Class level and a further 59 will get €18,000 at the International level.
Funding for relay teams in swimming and athletics and teams in para-cycling have also been included.
The overall figure of 4,725,000 compares to €4,454,625 in 2023, €3,689,540 on 2022 and @3,288,875 in the last Olympic and Paralympic Year of 2021.
Core funding towards the High Performance programmes of 19 different sports has also been announced at a figure of €10,886,662 for 2024 and €40,765,000 across the full Olympic and Paralympic 2024 cycle.
“I am very pleased that the philosophy of the HP Strategy 2021-2032 is reflected in the strategic advancements achieved by Sport Ireland throughout the Paris Cycle,” said Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD.
“Athletes now benefit from increased and multi-annual funding awards under the International Carding Scheme, while the continuation of financial and service support to athletes upon retirement highlights Sport Ireland’s people-first approach which is unique in global high-performance sport. ”
“I know that these supports, especially the multi-annual nature of the Government’s funding, were long sought by our athletes. We delivered on that and we are clearly seeing the positive results that are now happening. Team Ireland looks set for a great Paris Games and I’m eagerly looking forward to them.”
“This record funding announcement for High Performance Sport highlights the strong level of support for Team Ireland as we look ahead to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer.,” added Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne TD speaking at the launch.
“We have seen public investment in High Performance Sport rise from €14m in 2018 to a record €25m this year. The significant increase in High Performance Sport funding over many years demonstrates the Government’s commitment, in collaboration with Sport Ireland, to support our athletes as they strive for success.”
“The government has delivered a substantial increase in funding for Sport Ireland to build a strong high-performance system with strong governing bodies, which gives us every confidence in the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland delivering for their athletes in Paris this summer,” said Sport Ireland Director of NGBs and High Performance, Paul McDermott.
“We look forward to the year ahead, working with and continuing to support our partners to sustain this investment so Irish athletes can showcase their talents and hard work on the biggest stages.”
“A record level of investment this year and throughout this cycle demonstrates Sport Ireland’s sustained commitment to mirror the dedication of the athletes and teams who represent the nation with such distinction.,” concluded Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May.
“While Sport Ireland’s primary high-performance focus is on the long-term development of our system, we’re confident this support has set Team Ireland up to produce their best and savour the experience in Paris.”
Sport Ireland, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as well as 15 of the NGB’s celebrating HP funding are among the nearly 300 organisations that are members of the Sport for Business community.
Get the full benefit of a Sport for Business membership by joining us at one of our upcoming events where sporting and business leadership comes together.
Be part of the biggest community of sporting and business organisations in Ireland by becoming a member of Sport for Business and enjoying a host of benefits.
Enjoy more of what we have to offer with events. podcasts and a twice-daily news bulletin. Simply click on the images below to sign up for the free bulletin or find out more…
