The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD, today announced a record annual sum of €25m to be invested through Sport Ireland in High Performance Sport in 2024.
This is the highest ever level of investment into High Performance Sport in Ireland, both for an individual year and for an Olympic/Paralympic cycle, marking a huge step towards the investment objectives set out in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027. There’s also been a substantial increase on the €59m invested in the Tokyo cycle, with more than €89 million invested from 2021 to 2024, reflecting the Government’s commitment to delivering long-term sustained progress.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD said: “I am very pleased that the philosophy of the HP Strategy 2021-2032 is reflected in the strategic advancements achieved by Sport Ireland throughout the Paris Cycle. Athletes now benefit from increased and multi-annual funding awards under the International Carding Scheme, while the continuation of financial and service support to athletes upon retirement highlights Sport Ireland’s people-first approach which is unique in global high-performance sport. I know that these supports, especially the multi-annual nature of the Government’s funding, were long sought by our athletes. We delivered on that and we are clearly seeing the positive results that are now happening. Team Ireland looks set for a great Paris Games and I’m eagerly looking forward to them.”
Speaking at the Sport Ireland Campus today at the High Performance Sport investment announcement, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne TD, said: “This record funding announcement for High Performance Sport highlights the strong level of support for Team Ireland as we look ahead to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer. We have seen public investment in High Performance Sport rise from €14m in 2018 to a record €25m this year. The significant increase in High Performance Sport funding over many years demonstrates the Government’s commitment, in collaboration with Sport Ireland, to support our athletes as they strive for success.”
Sport Ireland Director of NGBs and High Performance, Paul McDermott, commented: “The government has delivered a substantial increase in funding for Sport Ireland to build a strong high-performance system with strong governing bodies, which gives us every confidence in the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland delivering for their athletes in Paris this summer. We look forward to the year ahead, working with and continuing to support our partners to sustain this investment so Irish athletes can showcase their talents and hard work on the biggest stages.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Dr. Úna May, commented: “A record level of investment this year and throughout this cycle demonstrates Sport Ireland’s sustained commitment to mirror the dedication of the athletes and teams who represent the nation with such distinction. While Sport Ireland’s primary high-performance focus is on the long-term development of our system, we’re confident this support has set Team Ireland up to produce their best and savour the experience in Paris.”
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