Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
12. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what plans her Department will undertake with regard to Ireland’s co-hosting of Euro 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45082/23]
View answerUEFA announced on Tuesday 10 October that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championship with the UK. The announcement presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism and sport offerings to Europe and the wider world. The award of the tournament to Ireland and the UK rewards the intensive North-South and East West co-operation in the preparation, planning and presentation of the bid.
It will be the largest sporting event Ireland and the UK has ever jointly staged and the largest single international sporting event held in Ireland.
An economic impact study was conducted on the value of the tournament. Taking into account that Ireland may host six games, in Dublin, it is estimated that the tournament should realise a discounted Gross Value Added (GVA) for Ireland of €189 million in 2022 prices. When benefits that accrue in subsequent years are taken into account the benefit is estimated to rise to a value of €241 million. Allowing for costs of approximately €65.6 million in 2022 prices this will yield a significant return on investment to the State.
The budget, which includes items such as security, local authority, transport and some stadia costs, will be kept under review, and all costs will be monitored, controlled and appropriately scrutinised throughout delivery to ensure value for money.
The State's investment in the Championship will be spread across a number of Departments and Agencies, with the bulk of the funding requirement falling due in 2027 and 2028. The key partners in this regard will be the Department of Justice (with regard to policing and security costs), Dublin City Council (fanzone sites, dressing and other infrastructure), the Department of Transport and my own Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
All costs arising will be addressed as part of the normal Estimates processes in the years leading up to the event.
The close and positive co-operation between all five jurisdictions was crucial in allowing all the bid partners to jointly support the submission of the bid. Now that the Championships have been awarded to Ireland and the UK there will be continuing and ongoing engagement between the jurisdictions between now and 2028. Discussions have already commenced among the partnership on the planning and structures required for the hosting of a successful Championship.
My Department will continue to work closely with the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and other Government Departments and agencies as well as with our UK partners as plans continue to be developed.
