The government have announced a €70 million Irish sport funding package following the impact of COVID-19.
The package, announced by Ministers Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin, will be invested through four new grant schemes to be developed by Sport Ireland and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
The funding is made up of four different allocations:
- Funding of up to €40 for the three main field sports organisations – the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU,
- a Resilience Fund of up to €10 million to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport,
- a Sports Club Resilience Fund of up to €15 million to support clubs, and
- a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund of up to €5 million.
Minster Ross stated that "the sport sector has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and many sporting bodies and clubs are experiencing significant financial challenges.”
“We have had extensive contact with the sector and it is clear that the challenge is enormous and is being felt at every level."
Sport Ireland chairman Kieran Mulvey thanked ministers Ross and Griffin for "ensuring the ongoing viability of sport in Ireland".
Furthermore, Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy outlined just how the funding process will work.
"We will invite applications from funded bodies, which will require them to demonstrate and verify what is required for them to continue in terms of funding. These applications will be processed by Sport Ireland in line with our robust grant processing procedures and high standards of due diligence.
"It is important to highlight that only those organisations in absolute need will be assisted. It is acknowledged that there may be a need to support previously commercial activities to get them back up and running again as the absence of these may put a strain on an organisation’s viability and its wider participation objectives."
