Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2021
89. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are supports or grants available to air sports in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55141/21]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to any supports or grants that are available to air sports. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
In relation to financial supports that are available for the sport sector due to Covid, on 5th October 2021, Minister Martin and I announced that additional current funding of up to €65 million will be available to support the sport sector this year. Allied to the additional current expenditure of €26.3 million already provided to Sport Ireland, a total of €91.3 million will have been allocated in additional current funding to support the sport sector in 2021.
This package is intended to support National Governing Bodies of Sport and sports clubs arising from the significant impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the sports sector, by providing specific funding support for the following sectors:
- Field Sport funding to support the main field sports, i.e. the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU;
- A Resilience Fund to support the other National Governing Bodies of Sport;
- A Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs from all sports;
- A Swimming Pools/Facilities Fund;
- A Resumption of Sport and Physical Activity Fund.
The funding will be invested through new grant schemes developed by Sport Ireland and the funding will be disbursed through the National Governing Bodies of sport.
Following the announcement, Sport Ireland invited applications for funding from the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships. The applications are now being reviewed by Sport Ireland and funding allocations will be announced in December.
Funding for individual clubs under the Sports Club Resilience Fund is being delivered directly by the National Governing Bodies through programmes established by each of the National Governing Bodies in receipt of funding. I have no role in the process.
The sports referred to by the Deputy should contact their National Governing Body directly or their Local Sports Partnership.
