Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 December 2019
328. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of sporting expenditure required to meet the ambition set out in the national sports policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51053/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAction 43 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 sets out the Government's ambition to increase investment in sport over the 10-year lifetime of the policy, to reach an annual level that exceeds €220 million by 2027. This figure is approximately double the funding allocated to sport in the 2018 Budget.
The Government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to achieving this doubling of funding, with increases in the funding allocated to sport in both the 2019 and 2020 Budgets. This increased investment is showing a real return, with improved performances by our high performance athletes and a marked increase in participation across the population, including in hard-to-reach communities. As the Deputy will be aware, just this week a further €4.2 million in funding support has been allocated from the Dormant Accounts Fund for sports programmes throughout the country, with the objective of increasing participation in sport and physical activity in disadvantaged communities and by people with disabilities.
I am confident that the Government's investment in sport will continue to deliver a real impact and that in the coming years, there will be further increases in funding for sport with a view to achieving the ambition set out in the National Sports Policy.
