Participation is a key principle that must underpin grassroots sport and is one of the key tenets of the National Sports Policy. Investment in, and supports to, both grassroots clubs and national level clubs in the League of Ireland is important and our capital funding programmes, as set out below, are providing significant support on both fronts.
Government funding for football is primarily aimed at supporting the delivery of programmes at local level, including programmes such as Football for All, Summer Soccer Schools and Late Night Leagues. Sport Ireland channels this funding through the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
Considerable additional financial support has been provided by the state for the development of football in Ireland, particularly via the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government and the FAI for the period 2020-2023. This provided for a package of funding of €5.8 million per annum to the FAI for the 2020-2023 period for football development. From that amount, €0.8 million was to be dedicated each year to programmes that underpin the development of the League of Ireland and the Women’s National League.
I have very recently received proposals from the FAI regarding funding support beyond the period of the MOU, and in relation to the development of academies. These will be examined by my officials in consultation with Sport Ireland in the first instance.
The government and Sport Ireland will continue to support the FAI in growing the game, in particular amongst young girls and boys and women. Football clubs and communities throughout the country are doing excellent work in promoting football and providing opportunities for young boys and girls to participate.
With regard to capital support, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Under the last round of the Programme alone, over €25 million was provided to soccer clubs around the country.
Assessment of the 3,210 applications received under the 2023 round of the SCEP is ongoing. An announcement in relation to the equipment only element of the Programme is imminent, with funding allocations for non-equipment capital projects to follow later in the year.
Funding is also available from my Department under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). A new round of the LSSIF opened on 26 April. Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30m, will take into account population size, sustainability, reducing administrative overheads and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities.
