In aftermath of the remarkable achievements at the Olympic Games, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe has indicated that the government is ready to invest more funds into sports. The Minister expressed certainty that the unprecedented attainment of seven medals by the Irish team in the recent Paris Olympic Games will serve to make a compelling case for the increased funding.
In his recent conversation with Thomas Byrne, the minister of State at the Department of Tourism and Sport, Mr Donohoe touched on this argument. He also gave a hint of upcoming major announcements about sports capital funding due in September, which would illustrate the ongoing commitment by the government into the development of sports within communities.
Over the recent years, the level of allocations afforded to sports has had a significant impact, said Mr Donohoe. He strongly believes that the spectacular Olympic results will further bolster the argument for more sports funding. The increased funding received by the Department of Sport and Sport Ireland in previous years has been utilized with great effectiveness in the Olympic movement of Ireland, he added.
Mr Donohoe also wanted to acknowledge the work of Sarah Keane, the president of the Olympic Federation of Ireland and her organization, stating that their utilisation of the increased funding has boosted elite performance levels and won Ireland more medals.
When asked if the Department of Sport would receive more funding, Mr Donohoe replied affirmatively, adding that the specifics of the amount and its utilisation would be discussed in the following weeks.
Finally, the Minister referred to the national sports campus at Abbotstown and the national indoor arena at the complex, highlighting important infrastructures in Ireland’s sporting landscape.
The government’s investment has been highly beneficial and influential, as evident in the functioning of various national sports organisations. The funding utilisation has been notably effective, an instance of this being its impact in the Olympics. Moreover, the influence can be recognised every weekend when countless men, women, and children of assorted skills and ages engage in activities at the National Sports Campus.