Minister Ring & Sport Ireland announce €27 Million in Sports Grants for 2016

Sport Ireland, the newly created agency for the development of sport in Ireland, announced a comprehensive package for sporting organisations in 2016. The announcement was made by Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring T.D. in Westport today.

To support Irish participation at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in August and September, a total grant package in excess of €10 million was announced. In addition, with the supports of the services of the new Institute of Sport High Performance Training Centre, at Sport Ireland’s National Sports Campus, the total investment in High Performance Sport for 2016 will be well in excess of €11 million.

In addition, there was a package of €10.6 million invested in National Governing Bodies of Sport with a further €5 million investment through the National Network of Local Sports Partnerships. Speaking at the announcement, Minister Michael Ring said: “I am pleased to announce this significant investment in Irish sport for 2016, through Sport Ireland’s package of grants for the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships.  The grants announced today will not only support the core activities of sports bodies, including their administration, they will also support very important sport programmes such as the Women in Sport and High Performance programmes, and the full range of services provided by Local Sport Partnerships around the country. I am delighted to have been able to increase Sport Ireland’s budget by €3 million this year, which has enabled Sport Ireland to support High Performance sport in what is a very important year, with the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place”.

Chair of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, speaking at the announcement added: “We are delighted to announce a wide range of grants for Governing Bodies which cover the critical period of 2016 towards Rio but also a wide range of important programmes which are covered by the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships. Sport has flourished over the past number of years despite financial difficulties and have continued to expand their services”.

The Irish American Football Association’s grant was also increased to €23,000, which includes additional funding towards our Women In Sport initiatives. Commenting on this increased funding, IAFA Commissioner Cillian Smith said, “IAFA welcomes the decision by Sport Ireland to increase the investment in NGBs and is appreciative that our core grant has increased for 2016. These grants are critical to assisting us in delivering enhanced training to officials, training two new coaching tutors and improving player skills via the National Programme and we look forward to improving our programmes over the coming season”.