Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2024
43. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update in relation to the sports action plan and its requirement to have 40% gender representation on the boards of the National Governing Bodies of Sport. [6712/24]
View answerAddressing female participation at all levels in sport is an important element of the National Sports Policy and a core priority for myself and Minister Catherine Martin. That includes women in leadership positions such as board members of National Governing Bodies (NGBs).
The Sports Action Plan set a target for all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a priority to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% target reflects this prioritisation. The average percentage of women on boards of NGBs has increased from 24% in 2019 to 43% at end-2023. In relation to the overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sports sector, which includes Local Sports Partnerships, this now stands at 44%. Progress continues to be made and I was pleased to note that the FAI achieved the 40% target with the appointment of two new female directors last weekend.
Those NGBs who have not obtained the target of 40% gender balance on their boards will only be permitted to draw down 50% of their funding allocation from Sport Ireland this year until such time as they reach the 40% target. Sport Ireland will continue to provide support to NGBs towards achieving the target of 40% and will monitor and report on progress.
