O’Shea Welcomes Announcement of Record €31.3m Core Investment in Sport for 2025

Cork Sport Partnerships are to receive funding to support active communities, John Paul O’Shea Cork North West Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy O’Shea welcomed the announcement by Fine Gael Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Minister at the Department of Arts, Media, Communications, Culture & Sport that the Government will invest €31.3m in the sport sector during 2025.

This is the highest ever level of Core investment. It has increased by over €1.6m since 2024 and €13.5m over the lifecycle of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.

Almost €12m has been invested in the network of 29 Local Sport Partnerships, with a significant increase to the Women in Sport allocation – delivering initiatives for women in disadvantaged communities, older women and teenage girls, and those with a disability or who come from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Deputy O’Shea said: “€536,675 of this will benefit County Cork, which is very positive news. Fostering a healthy generation of citizens is a key priority for Fine Gael in government. This allocation demonstrates our commitment to that priority, and I will continue to work closely with Minister O’Donovan to deliver for Cork.”

This year €18.3m is being invested in National Governing Bodies of Sport, with Swimming Activators supporting the first-ever National Swimming Strategy, and a Disability in Sport Lead being appointed, as well as a new dedicated events investment policy for the hosting of smaller scale international sporting events in 2026.

The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said: “The 2025 Core investment reflects the Government’s commitment to the National Governing Bodies for Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and recognition of their integral role at the heart of Irish sport.

“The increased funding is closely aligned with the delivery of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, and the National Physical Activity Plan, and will be crucial as we work with Sport Ireland towards increasing participation across the population. Deputy O’Shea is frequently in touch with my office to make the case for Cork, and I look forward to continuing positive engagement with them”, said Minister O’Donovan.