Sinn Féin spokesperson on Sport, Chris Andrews TD, said that following Team Ireland’s success at the Paris Olympics, we must ensure Ireland catches up with EU counterparts in terms of sports facilities.
Speaking today, Teachta Andrews said:
“Today, Ireland’s Olympic team received a hero’s welcome in Dublin.
“I want to extend my congratulations to team Ireland and pay tribute to all the hard work that these athletes have put in.
“Our athletes have gone above and beyond, they have firmly asserted Ireland’s standing in international sport.
“But most importantly of all, they have shown the power of sport in our local communities.
“These Athletes will be important role models to children and teenagers for years to come.
“We need to see a radial step change in how Government views and supports sport in Ireland.
“We must face the reality that sport in Ireland, from the grassroots right up, has been utterly underfunded for years.
“Year after year, Ireland has the lowest level investment into sport and recreation across the entire European Union.
“We cannot plaster over the cracks of over year’s of under-investment in Irish sport and expect everything to be great.
“If you just look at football facilities across the state, the vast majority don’t even have female friendly facilities. In 2024 that is unacceptable.
“If we are not providing adequate support at a grassroots and regional levels, in terms of facilities and trainers, we will never see our sporting community reach its full potential.
“The Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund, which was introduced in 2018, is moving at a worrying pace.
“Out of the €124 million in grant allocations, only €9.3 million has been drawn down.
“We need to see funding reach the grassroots of Irish sport, and not just grand announcements.
“We need to see these sport facilities projects expedited with a level of urgency.
“Our Olympic champions will inspire young boys and girls into new sports.
“We need to ensure that our sporting community has the support, the resources and most important of all, fit for purpose facilities for these young athletes.”
