The Government, in collaboration with the Sports Leadership Group has launched the latest Sports Action Plan, which outlines a roadmap for Irish sport through to the end of the National Sports Policy in 2027.
This updated Sports Action Plan plan focuses on advancing the development and success of sport in Ireland featuring 47 initiatives spread across eight key areas: Investment, Active and Social Participation, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Facilities and Events, Sport and Education, Sport and Sustainability, Governance and Capacity Building, and International Engagement.
One of the plan’s key highlights is the government’s commitment to increasing funding in sport. Under the National Sports Policy, the government had set a target to double investment to over €220 million by 2027, compared to 2018 levels. This target has already been surpassed, with Budget 2025 allocating more than €230 million to sport, two years ahead of schedule.
The plan also stresses the importance of collaboration across different sports and includes measures to enhance capacity building, particularly through EU funding and philanthropic support. A major focus is also placed on the rollout of Local Sports Plans, with Dublin’s local authorities leading the way, and a commitment to extending these plans nationwide by 2025.
Special attention is given to fostering inclusivity within sport, including initiatives aimed at reducing barriers for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from the Traveller and LGBTQ communities. The plan also emphasizes the importance of volunteering and the creation of a Physical Literacy Plan to guide development through 2028.
Key actions under the plan include appointing leads at Sport Ireland to focus on Disability Sports and enhancing the coordination of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to connect with schools.
The plan also sets ambitious targets for Paralympic sport under the National Sports Policy. The aim is to increase the number of Paralympic medals, with a goal of achieving between 20 and 60 medals by 2028. This medal target reflects the combined efforts of both the Paralympic and Olympic Federations of Ireland. In terms of global rankings, Ireland is targeting a move into the top 20 in the Paralympic Medal Table by 2028. These projections demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing Ireland’s performance and recognition on the international Paralympic stage.
Other priorities include multi-annual capital investment in the Sport Ireland Campus and the creation of a funding scheme to support smaller international sporting events.
Minister of State for Sport, Thomas Byrne, welcomed the publication of the new Sports Action Plan, stressing the government’s commitment to increasing participation in sport and physical activity across the country.
“We are determined to increase participation levels, and this plan will help us achieve that by promoting a ‘Sport for All’ approach,” said Byrne. “By focusing on key areas such as inclusivity, youth engagement, and the integration of sport and education, we aim to tackle existing gaps and create opportunities for everyone to get involved.”
The Minister also pointed to Budget 2025 as a pivotal moment for Irish sport, with funding more than doubling compared to 2018 levels, achieving a critical milestone under the National Sports Policy two years ahead of schedule.
“With this new Sports Action Plan, we will continue to make strides in improving sport governance, supporting high-performance athletes, and ensuring that sport becomes more accessible to all,” he added. “My role as Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education is to encourage lifelong participation in sport, from school age and beyond.”
You can download the full Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 here.
