Record investment in high performance sport continued with €27m announced for 2025
• Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Minister Charlie McConalogue announce investment of almost €27million in High Performance Funding.
• An increase in funding from over €25m in 2024.
• Investment in High Performance Sport in Ireland reaps rewards with success at international level with 378 international medals achieved during the Paris Cycle
• International Carding Scheme continues to give an additional level of support by providing €4.5m funding to individual athletes and teams.
The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue today announced annual investment for 2025 in the High Performance programme of €27m that will be distributed through Sport Ireland.
This record investment will continue to support high performance athletes and the National Sports Policy aim to increase Ireland’s target medal haul.
As the High Performance Strategy enters its fifth year of implementation, Sport Ireland will continue its focus on coaching, the athlete voice, and governance.
The High Performance system has now entered a new phase, the LA cycle, which presents a renewed opportunity for further performance and system success.
The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan T.D., said: “Sport Ireland’s High Performance Strategy is a well-developed and meaningful way of promoting our high performance athletes to achieve greater levels of success and is a tried and tested manner for us to support our athletes to compete at the highest level on the international stage.
“Multi-annual funding awards provide a level of stability for athletes to plan, concentrate and deliver on their sporting goals. Irish athletes are breaking barriers with continued medal success at international level and I am confident that this continued support will lead to further achievement at the highest levels.”
Speaking at the High Performance Sport investment announcement at Trinity College, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Minister McConalogue said: “This record funding announcement for High Performance Sport highlights Ireland’s strong level of support for individual and team athletes in their endeavour to achieve the highest potential rewards. We know that public investment in High Performance Sport pays dividends and increases the possibility for Irish athletes to compete at the highest level, which is why we are investing €27m through Sport Ireland over 2025.
“The significant increase in High Performance Sport funding over many years demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment, in collaboration with Sport Ireland, to support our athletes as they continue to strive for success.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Dr. Úna May, commented: “It’s great to be here in Trinity for the High Performance Funding Announcement for 2025. Walking in the front gates today, I passed the statue of Oliver Goldsmith, who held that true wisdom consists of tracing effects to their causes.
“That’s a sentiment that captures one strand of the approach taken by the Sport Ireland High Performance Unit. While we all take pride in the recent successes of Irish athletes, it is only by understanding the factors behind those achievements that we can perpetuate them.
“Our approach, backed by Government policy that has been far-sighted and deep-pocketed, has been consistent and sustainable investment to allow NGBs to develop strong and effective structures that support high performance athletes over the long-term.
“The results speak for themselves. The medal-winning performances of recent years are a testament to this strategy, with many NGBs benefiting from consistent support over multiple quadrennial cycles.
“The Government's multi-annual funding commitment will enable Sport Ireland to demonstrate ongoing returns on investment. But, of course, it’s not just about the medals, our focus remains on athlete welfare, supporting them to compete globally while prioritising their well-being.”
Sport Ireland High Performance Committee Chair Olive Loughnane said: “Investment in high-performance sport has been steadily increasing, with significant acceleration since 2018. At Sport Ireland we would like to thank the Government for their backing.
“The increased investment reflects a firm commitment to policy implementation; specifically, the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and High Performance Strategy 2021-2032.
“We are making strong progress towards the National Sports Policy target of €30m by 2027.
"Sport Ireland’s investment in high-performance sport is now comparable with our international competitors. Our priority is to collaborate with stakeholders across the high performance system to maximise the effectiveness of this investment through strategic initiatives and programs that deliver measurable results and value for money."
"These high-performance programs support the ambitions of athletes and teams who proudly wear the green, representing our nation as they strive for finals and podium finishes on the World and European stage.”
High Performance booklet in English agus as Gaeilge
