Oct 1, 2024
Excerpt from Minister for Finance Jack Chambers on Budget 2025 – Sports and philanthrophy
Sport
Making good on the commitment in last year’s Budget speech, I will also be bringing forward measures to support national sporting bodies in planning and investing for the future.
Changes will be made to the tax exemptions that apply to those bodies to facilitate long term investments for the purposes of future capital projects, sport equipment needs, to support Ireland’s high-performance athletes, and sports participation.
Furthermore, I will be bringing forward measures in the Finance Bill to allow those making donations to sports bodies, for capital projects, and the other objectives, greater flexibility on how those donations will be treated for Income Tax purposes. It is my intention that both PAYE and self-assessed donors will be able to choose for the income tax relief on donations under the relevant tax provisions to go either to themselves or to the sporting body itself. I believe that this will provide an additional incentive for taxpayers to provide direct support to their local and national clubs and bodies.
I strongly believe that physical activity is an essential part of supporting the health and mental well-being of all our citizens, young and old. As such, I believe there is merit in examining how the tax system can help to achieve greater participation in sport and fitness activities, including through gyms for example. Over the course of next year, my officials will continue this work with the view of developing proposals for consideration in advance of next year’s Budget.
Excerpt from Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Pascal Donohoe on Budget 2025
Culture and society
Ceann Comhairle, I believe that Ireland holds a unique position in the world, where our culture, ár dteanga and our artists are the beating heart of our society. There are record numbers visiting our national cultural institutions. Irish writers are some of the best in the world – giving us pause to reflect on the world around us, to make sense of it or, indeed, to escape it entirely for a moment.
In 2025, I am allocating:
- almost three hundred and eighty million euro to Arts and Culture
- one hundred and seven million euro to the Gaeltacht, which will provide a wide variety of supports to our Irish speaking communities in the Gaeltacht and beyond
- two hundred and twenty-six million euro to Tourism
- three hundred and twenty-eight million in funding to Media, including six million euro for the independent broadcasting sector
- two hundred and thirty-one million euro in funding to Sports, which will benefit clubs and organisations in every corner of the country
Sep 25, 2024
The Federation of Irish sport today welcomes announcement this significant investment in grassroots sport under phase 2 of Community Sport Facilities Fund and is pleased to see that government has again recognised the importance of investing in infrastructure that impacts so positively on every community in Ireland, the Federation also notes that for every €100 euro invested by government they get a return of €209 euro in associated taxes.
The Federation looks forward to the announcement of Budget 2025 and believes that the government having announced investment in infrastructure that they will further cement their investment in the Irish Sport sector by increasing core funding in NGBs and LSPs on a multi annual basis to ensure the organisation and sustained participation of people and programmes in Ireland is adequately resourced.
Largest-ever funding announced for Sport Facilities
· Ministers Martin and Byrne announce €230m in grants for sports clubs and facilities under phase 2 of Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly Sports Capital and Equipment Programme)
· Over a quarter of a billion allocated to community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 with a total investment of €256m
· Record allocation will facilitate the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D., and the Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne T.D., today announced 1,996 grants with a total value of €230m for new and improved sports facilities and equipment throughout the country under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
Ministers Martin and Byrne were joined by Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, at Cambridge FC in Ringsend to announce the record funding.
The €230m allocation announced today follows May’s allocation of €26m for sports equipment which brings the total investment in community sport and recreation in 2024 to an unprecedented €256m. This is a 50% increase on the funding allocated in early 2022 under the 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
Over 40 separate sports, as well as multi-sport facilities throughout the country, will benefit from the community sport grants announced today. Each application was assessed under criteria including population density, deprivation and access to facilities. Unsuccessful applicants can appeal any grant applications deemed invalid.
Speaking at the announcement in Ringsend today, Minister Martin said:
“Sport is vital to our sense of togetherness and community, from local clubs to professional and high-performance teams and athletes. Each and every one of these grants represents a project that will create a new or improved opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in sport to the best of their ability. Clubs will be better able to serve their communities with the help of this fund. For example 194 clubs are getting funding to install solar panels, 317 clubs are getting funding for LED floodlights and 966 projects will include improvements to pitches.
“These vital improvements and new facilities will add to the equipment allocations announced earlier this year to ensure that more people than ever have access to the sports they love in their local areas.”
Minister Byrne said:
“Over a quarter of a billion euro is being invested in sports clubs and facilities under the Community Sport Facilities Fund. This level of sports funding is unprecedented and will prove transformative for sports clubs and facilities in communities across Ireland. As a Government, we are committed to providing everyone, of every age and ability, with the opportunity to participate in sport and this record allocation for sport demonstrates that commitment.
The inspiring performance of Team Ireland at the Olympics and Paralympics recently in Paris demonstrated the positive power of sport and we understand that any sporting journey begins within the community. The record funding being announced today under the Community Sport Facilities Fund underlines this Government’s continued commitment to seeing Irish sport thrive into the future.”
Minister Donohoe said:
“This Government is committed to supporting sport at all levels, from grassroots and community-level facilities right up to our high-performance athletes on the world stage. Sport adds so much to our lives, as spectators, beginners or those who are excelling in their field. The mental and physical benefits are immeasurable. Ensuring adequate investment means that our participants have good facilities at their disposal and can train to compete to the best of their ability, whatever that is. After such a successful summer for our Olympians and Paralympians, it’s great to have an opportunity to underline our investment in sport for everyone, in every community across the country.”
Sep 18, 2024
Federation of Irish Sport Launches Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2025
- Submission calls for Multi-Annual Core Funding Increase, Reforms to Taxation Policies and increase in Betting Levy to Support Growth of Irish Sport & Physical Activity
- Click here to read full submission
Double Olympic gold medallist Fintan McCarthy today joined the Federation of Ireland Sport along with National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships from across Ireland in urgently calling for greater investment in Irish sport in Budget 2025.
McCarthy was the special guest of the Federation of Irish Sport at the launch of its Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2025, an event attended by elected representatives of Dáil Éireann, Senators, and members of the Federation, which represents 81 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and 29 Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).
The Federation has put forward three key “Asks” of the government, with the primary request being for a multi-annual increase in core funding for NGBs and LSPs. Core funding is the heart sporting bodies in Ireland, enabling the creation of programmes and pathways that identify, nurture, and support the sporting heroes of tomorrow. Additional calls for taxation reform and an increase in the betting levy comprise the two other key Asks.
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, emphasised the significance of this funding: “Our overall ask in relation to the upcoming budget is for government to increase funding for the core activities which build the base of sport and physical activity in Ireland. We realise that there is much to be financed across many areas in relation to Budget2025, we would however respectfully suggest that additional funding for sport might be found through the proposed changes to taxation under Action 3.7 and an increase in the betting levy for Sport.”
Since the launch of the National Sports Policy in 2018, significant progress has been made in high-performance and sports capital funding. However, core funding for NGBs and LSPs, which is critical for the long-term development of grassroots sport, has lagged behind/not matched/has been eroded by inflation and rising costs. This funding is essential for building programmes, retaining key personnel, and attracting quality coaches and staff.
By adopting a multi-annual funding model, the Federation argues, the government would provide the certainty needed to plan strategically and deliver meaningful long-term outcomes.
“Core funding is used not only to maintain the foundation of these organisations but to strengthen it,” O’Connor added. “All sport in this country starts with the NGBs and LSPs. They build the programmes and nurture the participants who go on to perform at the highest levels on the world stage.”
Mary O’Connor further highlighted the potential of taxation reform: “As we have mentioned previously in our submissions, we believe that changes could be made in existing legislation to the benefit of sport. We also believe that a 1% rise in the betting tax could produce up to €40 million, which could beneficially invest in sport and in programmes aimed at tackling the problems of gambling addiction.”
Jul 15, 2024
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 reflected on some of the key achievements in the first half of this year, which have helped support the sectors under the remit of the Department. Among key achievements….
- Record funding for high-performance Irish athletes in Olympic and Paralympic year
- Initiatives to recognise the role of women in Irish society
- National Plan for Irish Language Public Services
- Multi-million investment in arts and culture
- Development of new Tourism Policy Framework
Commenting on the first six months of the year, Ministers Martin and Byrne highlighted major funding initiatives vital to the growth and evolution of sectors within their responsibility.
Minister Martin said:
“So far this year, my Department has supported a range of projects and initiatives across all the sectors under its remit. From record funding of €250m in Sports Capital and Equipment, to the world-leading Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, to investment in the Gaeltacht and the Irish language on a scale never seen before. I am proud of this Government’s commitment to our tourism industry, to the arts and culture, to sport at all levels, to our native language with the Gaeltacht at its heart, and to developing a robust and trustworthy media sector.
The country’s recent success in international athletics demonstrates the benefits of investment in sport. My Department this year announced a record €25m funding through Sport Ireland in High Performance Sport. This is the highest-ever level of investment in High Performance Sport in Ireland – both for an individual year and for an Olympic/Paralympic cycle. It marks a huge step towards the investment objectives set out in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
“Separately, a range of initiatives – both financial and otherwise – have been undertaken to support this country’s rich cultural and artistic traditions. These include the allocation of €6m to deliver artist workspaces nationwide. Research conducted by my Department, and ongoing engagement with the creative and night-time economy sectors, over the last number of years has revealed demand for artist workspaces far outweighs supply, and that there is a widespread shortage of creative spaces such as studios and performance spaces.
“Earlier this year, we launched the Strategy for Language-Based Arts in addition to a financial package of almost €10 million to commence its implementation. This package includes four-year funding of €5.78 million for An Taibhdhearc, Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge for the period 2024 to 2027 as well as €4.085 million for Oireachtas na Gaeilge for its National Action Plan to develop, strengthen and promote Irish language-based arts across the country in the period 2024-2027. The success of the 35m annual Basic Income for the Arts scheme also continues with weekly payments of €325 to 2,000 artists and creative arts workers
“I published two reviews commissioned following the Government decision to initiate an independent, root and branch examination of RTÉ. The 116 recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Committees are a blueprint for the further reform of our national broadcaster.
“When fully implemented, they will improve the governance of RTÉ, both internally and externally, ensure the culture of RTÉ better reflects the values of public service held by its staff, and improve both the industrial relations landscape and human resources processes and procedures within RTÉ. The recommendations point the way to a more inclusive, transparent and accountable RTÉ, one that truly has the character of a public service.”
Minister Martin continued: “Our investment in our film and television industry continues to pay dividends, from small, independent productions to Oscar-winners and streaming blockbusters. I was delighted to be able to congratulate Cillian Murphy on his Academy Award. He represents the pinnacle of an industry my Department is proud to support.
“In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the need to address the under-representation of women’s contributions to the State’s political, scientific, social and cultural history.
“Accordingly, this year I established a new advisory committee to focus on women and women’s stories in the national cultural collections.”
With regard to tourism, Minister Martin stated: “We continue to provide strong support to the tourism sector in its journey towards full recovery post-Covid. Earlier this year we undertook a public consultation process on our new Tourism Policy Framework which will shape how tourism develops in a sustainable way in Ireland in the period to 2030. I expect to publish that new policy in the coming months. I also had the opportunity to engage with the sector both at Meitheal in Killarney and at two meetings of the Hospitality and Tourism Forum held, the most recent of which I chaired. This engagement with the sector is vital to building a sustainable future for tourism in Ireland.
“The capital development pipeline for tourism remains open, and I was really pleased to open the new Queen Maeve Square in Sligo, which has transformed the space into an attractive public square and orientation hub that will undoubtedly attract both national and international visitors.”
Minister Martin also highlighted ongoing north/south cooperation in tourism which continues to deepen with the resumption of the North-South Ministerial Council – which she attended along with cabinet colleagues in April.
“At the North-South Ministerial Council Tourism Sectoral in June I agreed with Minister Conor Murphy to the establishment of a Joint Strategic Coordination Group to identify and examine opportunities that will support the sustainable development of the tourism sector across the island.”
Minister Byrne, said: “As a Government, we are delivering record budgets for sport, as we work to provide everyone, of every ability, with an opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity. Last month, we confirmed that a record €250 million will be available for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, representing a 50% increase in funding when compared to the last round of allocations in 2020. We will see the largest-ever investment in sports facilities when Sports Capital and Equipment Programme allocations are announced this Autumn.
“In addition, we launched a new €120 million round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for applications in April, and there will be a strong focus on deliverability as we assess the applications we received following the deadline for applications on 1 July.
“I have been proud to oversee the introduction and publication of the new Similar Access Requirement, which is designed to ensure that whenever sports facilities are publicly funded, women and men enjoy must enjoy similar access to those sports facilities.
“From the grassroots to the boardroom, we want to see women’s participation in sport supported at every level. Recently, we announced a record €4 million for programmes designed to get more women involved in sport. We are also seeing a significant increase of women in sport leadership roles, with the overall percentage of women on sport boards standing at 45% in April 2024, compared to 29% in 2020. Under a new rule that has been introduced, 50% of Government funding will be withheld until 40% gender representation on national sport boards and Local Sports Partnerships is reached.
“In line with the Programme for Government target of reaching 60% overall participation in sport by 2027, I launched a new ‘Participation Nation Outdoor Fund’ in May, which is designed to spur physical activity in local community settings by supporting Local Sports Partnerships with the development of barrier-free sport projects on publicly-accessible land.
“On many occasions, Ireland has done itself proud when it comes to hosting major international sports events, most recently when our capital city welcomed football fans from across Europe and beyond in May for the 2024 UEFA Europa League Final.
“As we look forward to cheering on Team Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games later this summer, I am glad to note this Government’s record in investing over €89 million in this Paris Olympic-Paralympic cycle compared to €59 million invested in the Tokyo Olympic-Paralympic cycle.
Minister Byrne continued: “Since my appointment as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht in April, I have been delighted to advance many priority areas. Recently, we announced the appointment of a new Chair of Údarás na Gaeltachta and in looking ahead, I look forward to publishing the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill and introducing this important piece of legislation to the Houses of the Oireachtas before the Summer recess.
“The resumption of meetings of the North South Ministerial Council Language Body meeting is a development I greatly welcome and I was delighted to meet with Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons MLA, and Junior Minister at the Executive Office, Aisling Reilly MLA, at the NSMC North South Secretariat Office in Armagh, in late May, where we engaged with relevant stakeholders.
“I was very glad to recently announce significant progress in the implementation of the Official Languages Acts, with the commencement of provisions allowing for a new Placenames Committee to be appointed and for jury summons to be issued bilingually.
“On 19 June, the first National Plan for Irish Language Public Services was submitted to me and within 3 months of this date, we will see the plan submitted to Government for approval. I am determined to see the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services act as an effective roadmap towards meeting the legislative requirement to have at least 20% of the staff recruited to public bodies competent in Irish, by 31 December 2030.”
Some of the key measures introduced to date in 2024 to help support the Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media sectors include:
TOURISM
· New Chief Executive Officer and board members appointed to Tourism Ireland
Opinions Sought on the Future of Irish Tourism
· Just Transition, first phase funding of €24M allocated by Fáilte Ireland
· Work continues on the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project which aims to create greater links between two iconic coastal routes
· North South Ministerial Council – Minister Martin affirms commitment to work together with all stakeholders towards achieving a sustainable tourism sector
· Targeted supports delivered to tourism businesses most affected by accommodation stock displacement
· The continuous provision of capital funding to ensure the sustainable development of tourism product across the regions.
CULTURE AND ARTS
· €6 million funding to deliver artist workspaces nationwide
· Creative Ireland awards over €1.2 million to Creative Health and Wellbeing Projects
· Works commence on €37m redevelopment of the Archive Repository at the National Archives
· Department drive to make Ireland’s nightlife inclusive for people with disabilities
· Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 launches over 1,000 free creative activities for young people
· Bonar Law Collection acquired by National Library of Ireland
· New exhibition chronicling key aspects of Irish life over the last 100 years
· Minister Martin welcomes allocation of €8.6m in funding through Sound and Vision Scheme
· New advisory committee to focus on women and women’s stories in the national cultural collections
· Launch of Ireland’s Representation at the 2024 Venice Biennale
· Irish poets and politicians among treasure trove of new records released online
· Opening Night of Zeitgeist Irland 24 – a year-long programme of Irish arts and culture across Germany in 2024
· Over €1.2 million in funding announced for Culture Ireland’s promotion of Irish arts globally
· Arts Sector gathers to discuss Status of the Artist in Ireland & results from first year of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot
· Crawford Art Gallery redevelopment project to progress to tender
· Minister Michael McGrath and Minister Catherine Martin highlight recent Section 481 improvements at Ardmore Studios visit
GAELTACHT
· New arts strategy and funding package of €20 million announced for the Gaeltacht and for the Irish language in the community
· Minister Byrne announces increase in daily allowances for Gaeltacht families and hostels under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge
· North South Ministerial Council approves appointment of CEO of Foras na Gaeilge
· Tech funding of over €2m for Kinia to develop STEAM skills through Irish
· New Chair of Údarás na Gaeltachta
· €600,000 in funding approved for the Conradh na Gaeilge Ciste Spreagtha 2024 – 2026
· Publication of the Údarás na Gaeltachta Bill 2024
· Significant progress made on implementation of the Official Languages Acts
SPORT
· Record investment of €25 million in High Performance Sport for 2024
· Record €250m fund available for Sports Capital and Equipment Programme
· All eyes on Ireland as Dublin plays host to the Europa League Final
· €120 million fund announced for Major Sports Infrastructure
· Record Level of Core Funding for Sports Bodies in 2024
· Launch of new Participation Nation Outdoor Fund
· Record funding for Women in Sport Programmes
· Irish Sports Monitor 2023
· Ireland joins the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport
· Ministers Martin & Byrne publish Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund Review and new Similar Access Requirement
· LSSIF Fund Review and Similar Access Policy
· Record Funding for Sports Equipment 26 million
MEDIA
· Minister Martin publishes reviews arising from the independent examination of RTÉ
· Appointment of new members to the Boards of RTÉ and TG4
· Opinions sought on 14 new sporting events considered for broadcast on free-to-air TV
· Launch of first Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for the Media Sector
· Minister Martin welcomes allocation of €8.6m in funding through Sound and Vision Scheme
· Department to introduce Simplified Media Merger Notification Procedure
