The National Sport Policy 208-2027 included an action to develop a new high performance strategy. This strategy, entitled High Performance Strategy 2021-2032, was published in June 2021 and includes specific targets, and it will be a key component for the strategic and operational delivery objectives of the Sport Ireland Institute across its performance, leadership, coaching and specialist services.
A copy of the Strategy can be found at on the Sport Ireland website at the following link: www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2021-06/strategy_eng.pdf
The High Performance Strategy sets out challenging but achievable targets and signals our belief that Irish athletes can compete with the best in the world and win medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other major international competitions, on a consistent basis.
World class facilities and equipment is one of the strategic pillars of the Strategy. The Sport Ireland Campus is a major statement of the commitment to high performance sport. The Campus will be further developed and expanded in the coming years to really deliver the best possible facilities for existing and emerging athletes.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including high performance sport and its funding allocations. Sport Ireland provides High Performance Programme funding which supports Irish athletes in reaching finals and achieving medals at European Championships, World Championships, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. High Performance investment in 2020 was approximately €15.5 million and is estimated to be €18.5 million for 2021. Our ambition is to double the State's investment in sport, from €112 million in 2018 to €220 million by 2027.
In Budget 2022, we announced over €181 million for sport next year, an increase of almost €11 million compared to the 2021 Revised Estimate. Compared to 2018, we will have achieved an increase of almost €70m.
Current expenditure funding for Sport Ireland for 2022 will be €96 million, an increase of over €4m from 2021 and up by €44 million compared to 2018. This funding will enable Sport Ireland to continue to support the sector as it recovers from the challenges of Covid. It will also allow continued support for high performance sport, participation programmes and other funding programmes.
We recognise the benefits of multi-annual funding and the National Sports Policy aims to deliver funding on a multi-annual basis for high performance and participation programmes (Action 44). The Sport Ireland High Performance Strategy 2021-2032 also provides a commitment to multi-annual funding within High Performance Sport. Progress is being made in this regard with Sport Ireland intending to introduce multi-annual funding from 2022 to 2024 to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) who operate High Performance Programmes. Sport Ireland will have set criteria in order for NGBs to be considered for multi-annual funding, which will include the adoption and compliance with the Governance Code by December 31, 2021. Sport Ireland will work closely with NGBs to ensure they achieve and maintain the standards required for multi-annual funding.
