Federation CEO Mary O Connor was delighted to attend the announcement yesterday of record increases in core funding by Minister Patrick O’ Donovan and Minister Charlie McConalogue from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
- Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Minister Charlie McConalogue announce record investment of over €33 million in core funding support to sporting organisations
- Highest ever level of Core grant investment in sport
- €19.5 million for National Governing Bodies
- €12.66 million for Local Sports Partnerships
- €1.2 million for other sporting bodies
- New multi-annual funding model to support improved planning Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, today announced a record investment of €33.36 million in core funding support to sporting organisations, through Sport Ireland, for 2026.
€19.5 million is being invested in 57 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) this year, an increase of €1.2 million on the 2025 figure.
Investment in Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) has increased by 5.9% compared to 2025, with a total investment of €12.66 million being allocated across the 29 LSPs.
This is the highest ever level of Core investment in sport and represents a 6.5% increase on 2025 levels and an 87.4% increase on the €17.8 million investment in 2018, when the National Sports Policy was published.
2026 marks the first year of Sport Ireland’s 3-year multi-annual funding model, a transformative development that will support improved planning, workforce stability and more strategic use of resources within sports organisations.
Speaking at the funding announcement at the Sport Ireland Campus today, Minister O’Donovan said:
“This investment represents a steadfast commitment by the Government to strengthening the foundations of Irish sport. By backing National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships, it recognises their central role in delivering participation, performance and community impact across the country. We are continuing to scale investment in participation programmes, particularly those supporting women and girls, reinforcing our commitment to further narrowing the gender participation gap in sport, and in time, to eliminate it completely. This increased funding provides the stability and support required to sustainably grow participation, and position Ireland as a leader in inclusive, high-quality sport for all”.
Minister McConalogue said:
“The work of NGBs and LSPs in advancing wider Government priorities underlines the central role sport plays in Irish society. This Core funding will strengthen investment in high-performing, volunteer-led organisations in 2026, enabling them to build capacity, enhance sustainability, and plan with confidence for the future. Crucially, it will support their continued efforts to make sport more inclusive and accessible – particularly for those facing socio-economic barriers and people with disabilities – while further expanding the reach and impact of LSPs as they empower communities, to participate in sport and physical activity”.
Speaking after the event Federation CEO Mary O Connor said
“We welcome this record €33.36 million investment in core funding for sport, including the 6.5% increase on 2025 levels. This is a significant vote of confidence in the sector, recognising the pivotal role National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships play, not only in delivering on the National Sports Policy, but also in advancing broader Government priorities.
With 64% of the population now active on a weekly basis, this funding will help strengthen participation, performance, and community impact across Ireland.
Importantly, 2026 marks the first year of Sport Ireland’s 3-year multi-annual funding model, a transformative development that the Federation of Irish Sport actively campaigned for. This change will support improved planning, workforce stability, and more strategic use of resources within sports organisations, providing the certainty needed for National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships to build capacity and continue making sport inclusive and accessible for all.
I want to thank both Minister O Donovan and Minister McConalogue for their work in securing funding and look forward to working with all in government to enhance opportunities for the sector”.
To read the full press release click the link.