Press release
Record investment of €25 million in High Performance Sport for 2024
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, today announced a record annual sum of €25 million 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 €59 million 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, 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, 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 €14 million in 2018 to a record €25 million 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.”
An excellent year for High Performance sport culminated in the winning of 99 medals at major international competitions in 2023*. In this Paris cycle there’s so far been more than 260 medals won, which puts Ireland well on track to achieve the National Sports Policy target of 270 in total. The significant progress made since the publication of the High Performance Strategy 2021-2032 underlines Sport Ireland’s ambition and commitment to developing a strong system for Irish athletes and teams at European and World level.
Sport Ireland’s High-Performance Unit provides funding to and assists National Governing Bodies (NGBs) in the delivery of their High Performance programmes. These facilitate the ambitions of athletes and teams in reaching finals and achieving medals at European, World, Olympic and Paralympic level.
Sport Ireland continues its strong partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland, with the Sport Ireland Institute operating as the Performance Support Delivery Partner to Team Ireland. From 2021-2024, Sport Ireland will have also invested €3,195,000 in the Olympic Federation of Ireland, which includes an allocation of €850,000 to support the costs associated with the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. For Paralympics Ireland, Sport Ireland will provide €2,813,000 this cycle, which includes €800,000 for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The global competitive nature of High Performance sport demands continued improvement and Sport Ireland is currently underway with its Paris cycle System Review. This process will provide insight into Ireland’s progress and achievements since 2021 as well as supporting the shift in focus to the L.A. cycle.
High Performance Coaching remains a long-term strategic priority and in 2023 Sport Ireland invested close to €1 million, which supported the recruitment, retention, and upskilling of coaches. €1.5 million will be invested in 2024. Sport Ireland want to see improved career opportunities, an increase in female coaches, and individualised training and mentoring for those aspiring towards and achieving success in their roles.
Multi-annual High Performance programme funding has been introduced for the Paris Cycle, enabling National Governing Bodies to better plan their programmes with a certainty of support from Sport Ireland. This year €10.8 million will be invested into 19 NGBs, and this multi-annual funding will continue into the L.A. Cycle from 2025-2028.
In 2024, Sport Ireland will invest €4.4 million under the International Carding Scheme. This record sum will support 123 athletes and fund teams in 16 sports, with 33 athletes awarded the top category of Podium funding. Access to the expanding Sport Ireland Campus and the Sport Ireland Institute is also a unique asset for Irish High Performance sport, offering world-class facilities and services in a supportive environment.
A major medal is a medal won at senior or non-senior (for example: youth, junior, under-21) level, at European Championships, World Championships, Olympic Games and Paralympics Games by Sport Ireland High Performance funded NGBs and athletes. It may also include a medal at World Cup finals that is the equivalent of a World Championships.