Government announce multi-million Covid support funding for sport in Ireland

"It’s important that the sport sector is on a firm financial footing."

The Irish government and Sport Ireland have announced a multi-million Covid support fund for sport in the country. The €80m fund will be used to help sporting organisations recover and grow following the pandemic. The money will also be used to support grassroots sporting clubs and local sports partnerships. While €5.3m has been set aside for the provision of sports equipment, which includes rolling out defibrillators for clubs across the country. The GAA will receive one-quarter of the fund (€20m), while the FAI will get €19m and the IRFU will receive €18m. Cricket Ireland and Basketball Ireland will both receive over one million euro each (€1.1m and €1.01m respectively). "I welcome today’s allocations announced by Sport Ireland, which recognise the immense contribution that sport and physical activity has made to Ireland’s response to the pandemic," Minister of State for Sport and Gaeltacht Affairs Jack Chambers said. "All facets of society continue to adjust as the public health situation evolves and our National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnership and sports clubs are to be commended on how they have adapted. Government understands that this has been challenging for all and the funding allocated today will assist the sector as it continues to play an important role in supporting all members of society getting and staying active.” The full breakdown of the funding can be read here.