News - Federation of Irish Sport

Minister Byrne attends EU Sports Council Meeting

May 14, 2024

Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, will represent Ireland at the EU Sports Council meeting in Brussels today (Tuesday, 14 May 2024).

Topics on the agenda for the EU Sports Council include the approval of a new high-level EU Work Plan for Sport. The EU Work Plan for Sport plan proposes a renewed priority and focus to be given to the integrity and values in sport, the socio-economic and sustainable dimensions of sport, and to encouraging greater participation in sport and health-enhancing physical activity, across the European Union.

Other items to be discussed at the EU Sports Council include the key role that self-organised sport plays in developing a physically active culture in the European population as well as the vital role of volunteers in delivering sport to all sections in society.

In addition to the formal elements of the Council, an informal debate is planned to consider how EU Member States can support women to achieve leadership positions in sport.

Speaking ahead of the EU Sports Council meeting, Minister Byrne said:

“I welcome the new EU Work Plan for Sport which is focused on many of Ireland’s policy priorities for sport, including the need to increase participation in sport and physical activity, the need to protect and strengthen the integrity and values in sport, and to recognise the socio-economic and sustainable dimensions of sport.

In response to the need to increase participation levels amongst young girls and women, a number of new policies have been introduced, in addition to significant funding provided under our Women in Sport Programme. At grassroots level in sport, I have introduced a new Similar Access Requirement which ensures that public funding will not go towards the development of sports facilities, which do not provide similar access to women and men. At sport leadership level, I have also introduced a new rule to ensure 40% gender representation on the boards of National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships is both achieved and maintained, with 50% of state funding to be withheld from National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, until such a time as 40% gender representation is achieved. We are now seeing a consistent increase in female representation at sport leadership level year on year, with the overall percentage of women on boards standing at 45% today, compared to just 24% in 2019.

In relation to our discussion on the vital role of volunteers, I fully recognise that the Irish sporting community simply would not function, without our volunteers. In January, I joined Sport Ireland to launch a new ‘Volunteering in Sport Policy’ which advances a vision for a sports sector in Ireland that has the best volunteering culture in the world. I look forward to exchanging insights with my European colleagues on these areas of focus.”

Outsurance is to invest €160 million in its new Irish operation, creating 230 jobs over the next three years

May 13, 2024

The Alliance for Insurance Reform welcomes the news today that Outsurance is to invest €160 million in its new Irish operation, creating 230 jobs over the next three years. We also want to positively acknowledge the Government and other’s role in attracting Outsurance to the Irish market.

At a time when motor premiums are increasing month on month, the added competition Outsurance brings to this and the home insurance market is very welcome. The liability sector in urgent need of greater competition as premiums continue to spiral.

Ireland has become a much more attractive destination in which to provide insurance thanks to the range of Governmental reforms that have been introduced. Increasing competition is a key means by which these reforms translate into lower premiums and greater access to cover, particularly in the liability sector, which urgently needs new market entrants.

Despite the significant reduction in the volume of claims and size of awards, liability premiums continue to spiral for businesses, sports, arts, community and voluntary groups. It is impossible to justify these increased costs placed on struggling businesses and other organisations, at a time when a recent Central Bank Report (NCID, 2022) showed that insurer profits increased by 55% in 12 months. New competition in the liability market is urgently needed to help arrest this gross unfairness.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform brings together 46 civic and business organisations from across Ireland, representing over 55,000 members, 700,000 employees, 614,000 volunteers and 374,000 students in highlighting the negative impact of persistently high premiums and calling for real reforms that will quickly reduce liability and motor insurance premiums to affordable levels and keep them that way.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: contact@insurancereform.ie or Alliance CEO, Brian Hanley at 086 8620 974.

Record Funding for Sports Equipment

May 9, 2024

Record Funding for Sports Equipment Announced

Ministers Catherine Martin and Thomas Byrne announce over €26m in equipment grants to sporting organisations nationwide

Total allocation represents largest-ever funding for sports equipment under Sports Capital and Equipment Programme
Further funding for capital works, including those with an equipment component, to be confirmed later

Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have announced over €26 million in equipment grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (‘SCEP’).

The allocations announced today under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme are in response to equipment-only applications which sporting organisations submitted. Over 900 sports groups were successful in their applications for various types of equipment which will be of practical benefit to multiple sports organisations, their members and athletes across Ireland.

Further allocations under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, including those for capital works, and capital works tied with an equipment component, will be announced later.

Minister Martin said: “Our sporting organisations are at the heart of our communities providing opportunities to people to participate in healthy activities and to enjoy the successes of their local teams and sporting heroes. I am delighted to confirm the largest ever allocation of grants for equipment under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. The significant funding announced today will assist a vast range of sporting organisations around the country and be a great source of support to local teams on and off the field of play. Minister Thomas Byrne and I are committed to providing continued supports to sporting organisations to increase participation in sport in communities across Ireland. I am confident that the revised allocations under the National Development Plan will also allow for significant funding to be allocated for capital works when the necessary assessments of applications are completed.”

Minister Thomas Byrne said: “The diversity of organisations which will receive this record level of sports equipment funding illustrates the passion and interest that we have as a nation for sport in all its forms. The work done on a voluntary basis throughout the country in sports organisations is invaluable and it is only right that the Government plays its part in facilitating sporting participation and excellence across the country. In an Olympic year it is appropriate that we illustrate the Government’s commitment to sport and participation through strong investment in the facilities and equipment needed. I look forward to confirming further capital funding for the sport sector under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.”

Minister Byrne launches Participation Nation Outdoor Fund

May 3, 2024

• Funding available for investment in barrier-free outdoor sport infrastructure

• Fund focused at increasing participation in local community settings

• Fund open to applications from the network of Local Sports Partnerships nationwide from today until Friday, 21 June

The Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne T.D., has today (Friday, 3 May) launched a new sport investment fund, the ‘Participation Nation Outdoor Fund’, for the purchase and installation of permanent sport equipment that can be placed on public land for community use.

In line with the Programme for Government target of reaching 60% overall participation in sport by 2027, the fund is designed to spur physical activity in local community settings by supporting Local Sports Partnerships with the development of sport projects on publicly-accessible land.

The fund will be overseen by the Department and administered by Sport Ireland with applications open to the network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships. (‘LSP’). A minimum of €70,000 will be available to each LSP for the purposes of installing barrier-free sports infrastructure on publicly-accessible land.

Minister Byrne said:

“Every person, of every ability, should enjoy the right to participate in sport and physical activity. Last week, I announced funding of up to €120m under a new round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund and this week, I am delighted to launch the new Participation Nation Outdoor Fund. From small-scale investment to large-scale investment in sport, we must always ensure that there is a participation dividend. The new sport fund that I am announcing today is very important because it will provide communities and individuals with the opportunity to be more active in barrier-free outdoor settings. This new sport fund will help us in realising the many social and health benefits that come with participating in sport and physical activity and I look forward to seeing the delivery of these sport projects around the country.”

Any queries regarding the fund should be directed to participation@sportireland.ie

Deadline Extension: 2024 Irish Sport Industry Awards

May 3, 2024

The nominations deadline for the 2024 Irish Sport Industry Awards has been extended until 2pm on Wednesday May 8th.

The Irish Sport Industry Awards celebrate and reward excellence in the business of sport, while simultaneously highlighting the contribution of sport to the Irish economy. This will be the seventh staging of the awards which recognise the invaluable relationship between business and sport in Ireland.

The awards will take place on Tuesday May 28th at the College Green Hotel in Dublin’s city center.

Submit a nomination here

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath TD Announced as Keynote Speaker for the 2024 Irish Sport Industry Awards

May 1, 2024

The Federation of Irish Sport is delighted to announce that Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Finance will deliver the keynote address at the upcoming Irish Sport Industry Awards at the College Green Hotel on Tuesday 28^th May. This announcement reaffirms the positive working relationship between the Federation across Government departments.

Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor commented “We are particularly delighted to welcome Minister McGrath to be our keynote speaker at the upcoming awards. The Sport Industry Awards spotlight the people and partners that drive the business of Irish sports forward. The sector makes a significant economic contribution to GDP, so it’s imperative we recognise the growing diversity and innovation of the sector and the contribution it makes to Ireland’s economy. From Best Sports Business of the year and the Best New Sports Business, to celebrating commercial partnerships and use of communications, and recognising our own members successes, the Irish Sport Industry Awards reflect the varied make up of Ireland’s sports industry and the power of sport and business working together”.

The value of sport to the Irish economy is estimated to be around €3.3 billion annually, with the sector supporting over 64,000 jobs. The Federation continues to work closely with the Department of Finance promoting the value of sport to the economy and Ireland inc. and welcomes the Minister’s support of the work the Federation does on behalf of its members.

Entries Closing Friday 3rd May 2024.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »