Sep 16, 2019
EY Ireland continues its support for Hockey League
Monday 16 September 2019
EY Ireland announced it will continue its sponsorship of Hockey Ireland’s highest level of domestic competition – the EY Hockey League – for a further three years.
Speaking at the launch, Frank O’Keeffe, Managing Partner for EY Ireland, said: “We are proud to continue our support all of the amazing men and women of this sport, and we look forward to celebrating their continued success this year in both the EY Hockey League and the EY Hockey League Division 2. The all-island sport provides men and women the opportunity to build high performance teams, and develop and enhance their skills, as they compete at such a high level throughout the year. When it comes to leadership, dedication and developing winning strategies, there is a great deal to learn from such high calibre athletes.”
Covering all four provinces, the all-island EY Hockey League (EYHL) will see Ireland’s top ten male and top ten female clubs battle it out to become league champions over 18 weeks of exciting, fast-paced hockey.
The sponsorship will also support the EY Hockey League Division 2 (EYHL2), which currently boasts eight men’s teams and ten women’s teams, the winners of which will progress to the EYHL for the following season.
The EYHL and EYHL2 showcase some of Ireland’s top players, with a notable number of Ireland’s international female players returning from European Clubs this year, taking up player/coach roles within EYHL clubs.
Jerome Pels, CEO of Hockey Ireland, said “We are delighted to have the continued support of EY as the sponsor of the League. Their support is invaluable to us in assisting with the organisation and promotion of the EY Hockey League, its high quality of matches, and ensuring clubs across the island are able to compete at the highest levels.”
The first round of the Men’s EYHL gets underway this weekend on the 21st of September, while the Women’s EYHL returns to action in November after the Olympic qualifiers for Toyko 2020. Seen as an integral part of Hockey Ireland’s athlete development, the EYHL provides an opportunity to further develop high performance players for the challenge of international hockey.
The EYHL2 matches take to the pitch in mid-October with the eight men’s and ten women’s teams all vying for promotion to the EYHL for the following season.
The EYHL launch took place at the UCD National Hockey Stadium, home to both UCD’s men’s and women’s squad. The women’s team finished in a competitive third position in last year’s league, while the men succeed in gaining promotion from EYHL2.
Sep 10, 2019
The income tax return filing deadline is 31st October 2019.
Taxpayers can avail of an extension to the normal filing date of 31st October 2019 and instead file by 12th November 2019 if they file both their return of income and make the appropriate payment though ROS for:
- Income tax balance due for 2018, and
- Preliminary income tax due for 2019,
The responsibility is on the individual taxpayer to file the return, calculate the liabilities due and pay these liabilities on time.
Don’t leave it too late – gathering your documents can take time so act now to avoid missing the deadline and incurring penalties.
We advise you to seek guidance from OSK when preparing your return in order to ensure the correct liabilities are calculated.
What details do you need to send in to OSK to prepare your income tax return?
- Details of your income from all sources for the year ended 31st December 2018,
- Details of any dividends or deposit interest received in 2018,
- Rental income and expenditure details including mortgage interest certificate for the year ended 31st December 2018,
- Receipts in respect of any medical expenses incurred during the year 2018,
- Details of pension contributions paid,
- Details of any assets acquired or disposed of in 2018 (Capital Gains Tax),
- Details of any gifts or inheritance in 2018 (Capital Acquisition Tax).
How long do you need to keep books and records?
It’s important to note that you are obliged to keep records relating to the return for a period of 6 years after the period to which the information relates.
What reliefs are available against your income tax liability?
There are a number of deductions / reliefs you can claim against your income tax liability. These include, but are not limited to, the following –
- Tax relief at the standard rate (20% in 2018) for medical expenses paid is available.
- A tax credit of €490 is available in 2018 where a taxpayer or his / her spouse / civil partner is at least 65 years of age during the year of assessment.
- Tax relief at the standard rate (20% in 2018) is available in respect of certain third-level tuition fees paid to approved colleges.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you miss the October 31st tax return deadline you may be charged interest for each day you go over, along with a surcharge.
1. Where your 2018 return is submitted after the 31st October 2019 but before 31st December 2019 the surcharge will be calculated as the lesser of a 5% surcharge of the tax due or €12,695.
2. Where your 2018 return is submitted after the 31st December 2019 the surcharge will be calculated as the lesser of 10% of the tax due or €63,485.
The surcharge is calculated on the full tax payable for the year and does not take account of any payments on account.
The surcharge for a proprietary director is calculated before deduction of PAYE paid during the year.
What are the penalties of you don’t pay tax your liability?
Interest on overdue tax is calculated at a rate of 0.0219% (From 01.07.2009) per day or part of a day.
Any underpayment in income tax will result in interest penalties.
The amount of preliminary tax paid must be sufficient and must be paid on time in order to avoid any interest on overdue tax.
If the payment amount is correct, however, it is paid late there may still be an exposure to interest.
Contact Róisín McDaid in OSK Tax today to get your tax return filed before the income tax deadline.
Sep 10, 2019
Motorsport Ireland is inviting Tenders for the provision of a Motorsport Safety Tracking Management System. The tender deadline is 11th October 2019 at 3pm.
For more information, check out http://www.motorsportireland.com/UsefulInfo/request-for-tenders.aspx
Sep 9, 2019
Former GAA Director General confirmed as Chair of judging panel for upcoming Volunteer in Sport Awards
The awards celebrate the contributions of the 450,000 volunteers who give their time to Irish sport every year
- Judges include journalist and activist, Joanne O’ Riordan and former Irish rugby international, Trevor Ringland;
- The deadline for nominations is Friday, 29 September
Former GAA Director General, Mr Páraic Duffy has today been confirmed as one of 12 individuals appointed to the judging panel of the Volunteer in Sport Awards, taking place on Tuesday, 12 November.
The Volunteer in Sport Awards, hosted by the Federation of Irish Sport, in partnership with EBS, will see volunteers from all 32 counties recognised for their outstanding contributions to sport in their county. The Awards will also select a national ‘Team of Volunteers’ award and a ‘Lifetime’ award to honour a volunteer who has consistently given of their time for a sport, team or event over many years.
A judging panel in touch with local communities
Mr Duffy served as Director General of the GAA between 2008 and 2018. He also chaired a number of senior committees within the GAA, including the Coaching and Games Development Committee, and is a former selector for the Monaghan Senior County football team. He will be joined on the judging panel by:
- Joanne O’ Riordan, Irish Times sports journalist and activist;
- Maura Farrell, NUIG Lecturer;
- Trevor Ringland, Former Rugby International;
- Keith Kelly, Jumpers for Goalposts;
- Benny Cullen, Sport Ireland;
- Shane O’Connor, Olympic Athletes Commission;
- Nina Arwitz, CEO Volunteer Ireland;
- Jimmy Deenihan, Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs;
- Des Fitzgerald, CEO EBS;
- Michelle Dwyer, EBS;
- Mary Nolan Hickey, Volunteer Fundraiser for RNLI
Deadline for nominations fast approaching
Over 450,000 volunteers give their time to Irish sport each year. This equates to approximately 37.3 million hours of volunteering across Ireland’s 14,000 registered sports clubs and associations.
Members of the public are invited to nominate an individual whose contributions to sport has made a real difference to their community, club or county. Nominations can be made by individuals, clubs or sports associations via an online application form at www.volunteerinsport.ie. The deadline for applications is Friday, 27 September, 2019.
Previous Lifetime Award winners
The awards were originally founded in 2007 to recognise coaches, managers, officials and administrators who give their time to grow and develop amateur sports. This year sees them return for the first time since 2014.
Previous winners of the Lifetime Award include, Liam Sheedy, former player and current Tipperary All Ireland Champion Hurling Manager, Darren O’Neill, youth coach and Olympic Boxer and Peggy Mason who has been a Special Olympics Volunteer since 1985.
Comment
Speaking about the announcement, Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport said;
“We are delighted to confirm our judging panel for the 2019 Volunteer in Sport Awards. Our judges are drawn from a diverse breadth of backgrounds including sports administration, the not-for-profit sector, and former elite athletes, amongst others. Their different backgrounds and expertise are a perfect reflection of the very diverse make-up of our sporting community and the many roles it fulfils in Irish society. All have witnessed the critical role played by volunteers in enabling Irish grassroots sport to take place each week and can speak to the many benefits they bring to communities up and down the country.
“The deadline for nominations is fast approaching so we would call on individuals, clubs and sports associations to submit their nominations via the Volunteerinsport.ie website by Friday, 27 September.”
Also commenting, Páraic Duffy, former GAA Director General said:
“I am pleased to be involved in this special event that is the 2019 Volunteer in Sport Awards. I have been involved in volunteer sports organisations all my life and have seen first-hand how indispensable these volunteers are to their communities. The Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate their contributions and highlight the integral role they play in sport and wider society.”
ENDS
For more information:
Paddy O’Dea – paddy@pr360.ie – 086 357 3365
Barry Murphy – barry@pr360.ie – 087 266 9878
Sep 5, 2019
The Federation of Irish Sport were please to welcome the announcement of Women in Sport funding allocations by Sport Ireland today, September 5th. The €3 million funding, which is split over two years, has been divided between 40 NGBs as well as additional special projects. The Federation are delighted to have received funding under the special projects allocation for a project focusing on women in sport.
We look forward to seeing the many fantastic women in sport initiatives come to life for our NGBs over the next two years and continue to improve and develop the landscape for women in sport.
Sport Ireland Press Release – 5th September 2019
Sport Ireland today announced a multi-year investment of over €3 million in National Governing Bodies of Sport through the re-launched Women in Sport Programme. This compliments the €265,000 allocated to Local Sports Partnerships earlier this year, bring Sport Ireland’s investment in Women in Sport for 2019 and 2020 to €3,277,000.
Today’s announcement follows the publication of Sport Ireland’s new Policy on Women in Sport earlier this year. The policy builds on the significant work that has already been undertaken in this area within the sport sector to date, recognising the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of women through their involvement in sport.
The Policy on Women in Sport identifies Coaching & Officiating, Active Participation, Leadership & Governance and Visibility as four key target areas, with National Governing Bodies invited to apply for funding under these themes.
Speaking at the announcement at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, said: “One of the key objectives of the Government’s National Sports Policy is to increase the number of women and girls participating in sport and to eliminate the participation gradient between men and women. While the gender gradient, at 4.5%, is narrower now than at any point over the past ten years, it is important that this gradient is eliminated altogether. Sport Ireland’s new Women in Sport Policy and the re-launched Women in Sport Programme is essential in this regard. I want to pay a particular tribute to our high profile sportswomen who continue to inspire and encourage thousands of girls and young women throughout Ireland every day to become involved in sport and to stay involved.”
Through the Women in Sport Programme, many National Governing Bodies for Sport have developed innovative programmes which target groups of young girls, teenage girls and older adults. While active participation remains important, the areas of leadership, coaching and officiating have become a key focus for many of the National Governing Bodies.
Chair of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Steering Group, Lynne Cantwell, added: “Through the allocation of this funding, the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy is coming to life. While active participation remains vitally important, in line with the Women in Sport Policy Sport Ireland encouraged funded bodies to look at other areas of involvement as well. The funding process has seen National Governing Bodies embrace projects focussed on developing leadership opportunities, and pathways to coaching and officiating. This holistic approach will lead to a step-change in the landscape for women’s involvement in sport across the board from grassroots to leadership.”
A key aim of the Women in Sport programme is to have equal participation between males and females in sport. The gender gradient in sports participation has closed from 15.7% to 4.5% since 2007 according to the most recent Irish Sports Monitor (2017).
Sport Ireland Chairman, Kieran Mulvey, said: “The allocation of this substantial investment in the National Governing Bodies through the Women in Sport Programme is the first tangible deliverable of the new Women in Sport Policy, which was published earlier this year. Through moving to a multi-annual funding model, we are looking to create long lasting cultural change within the sporting landscape, where opportunities exist for girls and women of all ages, background or circumstance.”
Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, added: “That fact that the Women in Sport funding programme was oversubscribed demonstrates the buy-in from the sector to make a meaningful impact. With the publication of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy, the appointment of Nora Stapleton as Women in Sport Lead and the re-launched Women in Sport Programme, we will look to substantially increase the number of women and girls getting involved in sport.”
One of the key actions of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Policy is the appointment of a Women in Sport Lead to act authoritatively and strategically to develop and promote women and girl’s involvement in sport. Former Irish international rugby player, Nora Stapleton, was appointed to the role in April of this year.
Sport Ireland Director of Participation and Ethics, Dr Una May, commented: “The allocation of funding is an important step in the delivery of action 32 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, which promotes gender diversity and equality action plans. Through the publication of the Women in Sport Policy, we are committing to increasing women’s involvement in sport in a sustainable way; whether that be as volunteers, coaches, athletes or leaders. As one of the key actions of the policy, Sport Ireland has appointed Nora Stapleton to the position of Women in Sport Lead. Nora will be a support to all of our funded bodies as their Women in Sport programmes come to life. ”
For a full list of funding allocations please see www.sportireland.ie
Sep 4, 2019
Media Release
27th August 2019
Cycling Ireland Launch AXA Community Bike Rides
Cycling Ireland has partnered with AXA Insurance to create AXA Community Bike Rides, an exciting new programme that inspires people all over the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to get out on their bikes.
AXA Community Bike Rides are free social leisure rides for adults of all ages and abilities. A trained Ride Leader will ensure your cycle is both safe and enjoyable. Participants can choose from ‘Easy Going’ or ‘Challenging’ rides meaning there is a distance and pace to suit everyone.
Participants can earn free rewards when they take part in AXA Community Bike Rides. Rewards include buffs, water bottles and technical t-shirts and you can claim your first reward after just 10 rides.
Speaking about the programme Matt McKerrow, Cycling Ireland CEO commented: “AXA Community Bike Rides are a fantastic way for new and returning cyclists to enjoy the sport in a safe and supportive environment. We are looking forward to working with AXA to grow the AXA Community Bike Rides programme over the next 3 years and inspire even more people to enjoy the benefits of cycling.”
AXA Insurance dac CEO, Philip Bradley said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Cycling Ireland to support local communities. AXA Community Bike Rides was developed with the purpose of inspiring people all over Ireland to get on their bikes and enjoy a healthier and better life. This local, free programme gives people the opportunity to get regular exercise in a safe and controlled environment, where the group are there to help and support each other.”
AXA Community Bike Rides participant, Dermot Gaynor is encouraging people to sign up for a local ride: “It’s great fun and a fantastic way to get regular exercise. You don’t have to be an accomplished cyclist to join in, once you are comfortable on the bike you will enjoy it.
The great thing about AXA Community Bike Rides is that you are looked after by the Ride Leader, you never feel like you’re not able for it and you make lots of new friends.”
To find a ride near you visit www.axacommunitybikerides.com
ENDS
For more information:
Scott Graham, Cycling Ireland Marketing & Communications Manager scott.graham@cyclingireland.ie | 086 021 1146
Mary Corry, AXA Community Bike Rides Development Officer
mary.corry@cyclingireland.ie | 086 890 0620
About Cycling Ireland
Cycling Ireland is the National Governing Body for cycling on the island of Ireland. With almost 30,000 members, 800 events and 450 clubs, cycling is one of Ireland’s largest participation sports.
Image Caption
Cycling Ireland has partnered with AXA Insurance to create AXA Community Bike Rides, an exciting new programme that inspires people all over Ireland to get out on their bikes.
AXA Community Bike Rides are free social leisure rides for adults of all ages. To find a ride near you visit www.axacommunitybikerides.com
