MEDIA RELEASE: Sport Ireland announces €31.8 million investment in National Governing Bodies, High Performance Programmes and Athletes, and Local Sports Partnerships

Sport Ireland

Media Release

6^th February 2019

For Immediate Release

Sport Ireland announces €31.8 million investment in National Governing Bodies, High Performance Programmes and Athletes, and Local Sports Partnerships

• Funding represents significant increase on 2018
• €12.84 million for core activity of 58 National Governing Bodies
• €7.29 million to support work of 29 Local Sports Partnerships
• €8.46 million to support High Performance programmes
• €1.93 million in direct athlete investment

Sport Ireland today announced an investment of nearly €32 million in National Governing Bodies for Sport, direct athlete support and the Local Sports Partnership Network for 2019.

The funding announced, which represents a significant increase on 2018, includes an investment of €12.845 million in the core activity of National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs), €8.46m in NGB High Performance Programmes, €820,000 in high performance funding for the Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland, and €7.29 million in the work of the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).

Sport Ireland also announced €500,000 in targeted funding for projects, to assist with the preparation for key events in 2019, along with a further €1.93 million for the International Carding Scheme.

Speaking ahead of the announcement at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena today, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, said:“The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 published by my Department last July puts a strong emphasis on increasing participation in sport and physical activity by all members of society, regardless of age or circumstance. The significant increase in funding announced today will assist the excellent work of our National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships in delivering programmes and initiatives on the ground to get more people active on a regular basis. Their work is making a substantial contribution to the health and welfare of individuals, communities and the nation.”

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin TD, added:“The funding announced today will assist in furthering Ireland’s ambitions at the highest level on the international stage as we head into a critical period for high performance sport. 2018 was an exceptional year for Irish teams and athletes and we look forward to that success continuing into 2019 with Olympic and Paralympic qualification on the horizon for many athletes. In particular, the move to a two-year model for the International Carding scheme is to be welcomed as we look to give our top athletes the best possible opportunity to realise their potential on the international stage.”

2018 marked an exceptional year for Irish sport at an international level, with Irish athletes and teams winning 77 medals at major competition throughout the year. At home, National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships saw sustained participation and engagement with programmes, with many new innovative initiatives rolled-out nationwide.

Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, commented:“2018 was a landmark year for Irish sport. At a strategic level, the publication of the new National Sports Policy was a key milestone for the sports sector. On the international stage we saw sustained success from our high performance teams and athletes, while the NGBs and LSPs are continuing to support strong participation in sport among people of all ages. Through a substantial budget increase for 2019, the Government has responded very positively to the case made by Sport Ireland and the Irish sporting community with a broad commitment to sport and physical activity.  It is vital that our NGBs and LSPs are well supported and the increase in funding this year means that our funded bodies will be well equipped to deliver on their objectives as we look towards next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games and increasing participation in sport across the board.”

The International Carding Scheme has increased from €1.9 million in 2018 to €1.934 million in 2019. For 2019 and 2020 the International Carding Scheme will be awarded as a two year Scheme. This means that athletes who are awarded Carding in 2019 will be funded until December 2020, subject to terms and conditions.

Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, added:“Sport Ireland is delighted to be in a position to provide the majority of performing National Governing Bodies for Sport and Local Sports Partnerships with an increase in investment in 2019. A significant development this year is the move to a two-year model for the International Athlete Carding Scheme. This new approach will remove pressures associated with carding criteria and allow athletes to fully focus on Tokyo 2020 qualification and performance. High Performance Programme funding provided to NGBs in 2019 will stand for the funding round in 2020. This commitment from Sport Ireland is provided to well-governed NGBs that are tracking to deliver their targets in Tokyo 2020.”

Mr Treacy continued: “At a local level, the increased investment in the Sports Inclusion Disability Programme means that all 29 Local Sports Partnerships will have a Sports Inclusion Disability Officer (SIDO) in 2019. The SIDOs will provide valuable support and facilitate an increase in opportunities for people to participate in sport and physical activity. We look forward to another positive year for Irish sport in 2019.”

The full breakdown of funding can be viewed here.

Ends.

For further information:

David Gash, Communications Manager

01-8608806/087-2277643

dgash@sportireland.ie

Images available FOC via Inpho Photography

Notes to the Editor:

Overview of Annualised Funding Streams*:

*For the purposes of this analysis, once-off funding which becomes available is not included. In 2018, €1.5 million was made available to assist NGB preparations for major competitions including the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and key World Championship events.

2019 & 2020 International Carding Scheme:

The International Carding Scheme has increased from €1.9 million in 2018 to €1.934 million in 2019. For 2019 and 2020 the International Carding Scheme will be awarded as a two year

Scheme. This means that athletes who are awarded Carding in 2019 will be funded until December 2020, subject to terms and conditions. The Scheme will remain open to new entrants in 2020 who will be eligible to receive a one-year award. The most important benefit from this change is to allow athletes to fully focus on Olympic & Paralympic qualification and performance, and reduce the negative pressures associated with chasing funding criteria.

…

The Angling Council Ireland would like to wish all those involved in the Sport of Angling a very Happy Christmas 2018. Many thanks to those who have supported the ACI in 2018. Inland Fisheries Ireland, and Sport Ireland to name but a few. 2019 is going to be fishtastic.

Canney welcomes funding available in 2019 for angling projects and events

Initiatives which support novice anglers and angling tourism invited to apply for funding to Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Sponsorship Programme 2019

Monday, 17^th December 2018: Inland Fisheries Ireland’s has launched its Sponsorship Programme for 2019 and is now inviting applications from suitable angling events and initiatives nationwide. The programme, which is one of the funding mechanisms of the National Strategy for Angling Development, awarded funding to 62 Irish angling events and 10 teams representing Ireland in overseas international events to the combined value of €30,000 last year.

Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the Inland Fisheries sector said: “I want to congratulate Inland Fisheries Ireland for making financial support available once again in 2019 for projects and events which will support novice and junior anglers and help grow angling tourism. I support Inland Fisheries Ireland’s aim to help ‘bring angling to the people’ by supporting initiatives which help remove barriers to those looking to try fishing or for younger people who already enjoy the pursuit. IFI is working to support events and initiatives which promote the angling tourism product with a view to growing angler tourist numbers and economic return”.

The Sponsorship Programme supported 17 initiatives by local angling clubs during the year which included junior competitions, summer leagues, disability outreach programmes and angling coaching workshops. In total, 630 juvenile and novice anglers participated in these initiatives and almost 300 of them joined a fishing club for the first time following their participation in a local engagement project.

In addition to junior and novice angling projects, there were 28 large scale angling events supported via the programme in 2018 with 1,866 experienced anglers taking part. Over 800 anglers travelled from outside Ireland to participate in these angling competitions.

The events and initiatives which are eligible for funding in 2019 are as follows:

– Large international competitions held in Ireland which showcase Ireland’s angling and contribute to local economies, supporting jobs and businesses.

– Novice angler events & training courses which increase participation in angling including funding of transport hire for participants to facilitate attendance at novice angler events.

– Information dissemination / initiatives to promote fisheries awareness / conservation and protection of the inland fisheries and sea angling resource / promotion of angling as a key Irish tourism activity e.g. Production of high quality angling promotional videos / seminars / coaching / training / workshops etc.

– Juvenile and minority angling teams representing Ireland at international events both home and abroad.

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Our 2019 Sponsorship Programme will play an important role in driving angling participation among novice and junior anglers. The Sponsorship Programme has awarded €30,000 per year over the past five years to angling clubs and groups nationwide to help in the delivery of local angling events.

“In addition to supporting those who are casting for the first time, we also have a unique opportunity to grow our angling tourism product. The Sponsorship Scheme offers clubs and associations an incentive to engage overseas anglers to visit our renowned wild fisheries and to enjoy fishing here in a conservation focused manner.”

Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development is the first comprehensive national framework which will deliver a wide-ranging set of investments, innovations and promotions over the coming five years. It aims to make angling accessible and attractive through information, infrastructure and support, to develop tourism through the promotion of the angling resource and to position angling as a key leisure and recreation pursuit. The Strategy will deliver significant economic benefits in rural communities where much of angling takes place, while also ensuring that fish populations and habitats are protected and conserved.

Applications for funding from the Sponsorship Scheme are now invited from angling clubs, associations or any local group organising an angling initiative. The scheme will remain open for funding applications until the 18^th of January 2019 with applications for equipment, staff support and biosecurity assistance available throughout the year.

To find out more and to apply, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie/sponsorship .  Awards will be subject to budget availability and adherence to the scheme requirements.

Monday, 10^th December 2018: Ballinrobe and District Angling Club has successfully completed a project which will greatly improve access to a popular angling destination at Cushlough Bay, County Mayo. The project was funded by Inland Fisheries Ireland via the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD) Fund. The location at Cushlough Bay, off Lough Mask near Ballinrobe is used by domestic and visiting international anglers alike.
The project saw improvement works completed on the angling club’s carpark to make it safe and accessible for anglers. This included resurfacing and realigning of the carpark, as well as the provision of security fencing around the perimeter.  The club was awarded €21,263 from Inland Fisheries Ireland to carry out the works which are now complete. The funding was granted in June, after the club completed all their corporate governance requirements, with the project at completion stage just a few weeks later.
Inland Fisheries Ireland granted support under its National Strategy for Angling Development which aims to ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced for the economic value and recreational benefit which they offer to communities across Ireland. The fisheries resource is worth €836 million to the Irish economy annually and supports upwards of 11,000 jobs, often in rural and peripheral communities.
In addition to the funding provided by National Strategy for Angling Development, Ballinrobe & District Trout Anglers Association and the World Cup Trout Fly Championship Committee provided €6,641 to upgrade the slipway as an extra part of the project.

Ballinrobe and District Angling Club’s Car Park after improvement works were carried out with funding from the
National Strategy for Angling Development

The upgraded slipway at Cushlough Bay delivered by Ballinrobe and District Angling Club and the World Cup Trout Fly Championship Committee

Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for the Inland Fisheries sector said: “Investment in angling access and infrastructure is a key component of the current round of NSAD funding and the Ballinrobe Club has demonstrated that, working in partnership with Inland Fisheries Ireland and underpinned by significant grant aid, valuable community driven projects will be delivered.  The project will be of major benefit to local, visiting and international anglers and will define Cushlough Bay as a top class venue for social and competitive angling and can assist in attracting international events.”
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Accessibility and safety is a priority if our inland fisheries are to be enjoyed by everyone. I am delighted that this project is complete in Ballinrobe at an important angling location which has both recreational and socio economic benefit to the local community.  It is a reflection on the commitment of the club to the future of angling in the area and we would like to commend them on their work in delivering this improved amenity to their community.
The significant funding available to date for the National Strategy for Angling Development has been exclusively capital funding and this has appropriately delivered important capital infrastructural and access projects, including the current project, under the investment initiative.  Inland Fisheries Ireland is committed to working closely with Minister Canney and his Department in seeking to secure additional funding to support essential habitat enhancement and in-river works for the benefit of the inland fisheries resource as NSAD continues to be rolled out.”
Kevin Egan, Chairperson of Ballinrobe and District Anglers said: “This is an outstanding project which we are delighted to complete. The funding from the National Strategy for Angling Development allowed us to upgrade the parking facility which will be of benefit for local anglers and tourist anglers.”
For more information about Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie .
ENDS

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