Laois sports organisations receive over €360,000 in funding

Sporting organisations in Laois are set to receive a boost after more than  €360,000 in government funding was announced on Thursday.

Laois Sports Partnership will receive €353,565 for their core costs while €10,000 has been allocated for women in sport. 

The funding was announced by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne, as part of record investment of almost €30 million in core funding support to sporting organisations, through Sport Ireland, for 2024.

Welcoming the news Minister of State at Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine, Pippa Hackett, said:  “I’m delighted to see Offaly Sports Partnership receiving €346,571 and Laois Sports Partnership receiving €353,565 for their core costs in the latest round of funding from my Green Party colleague, Minister Catherine Martin. In addition, it is fantastic to see funding for women in sport of €10,000 for Laois and €7,000 for Offaly as well as funding to support Sport Inclusion Disability Officers in each area.

 "This Government’s increased investment in core funding for 2024 ensures the long-term sustainability of our sporting organisations and that everyone in our community has the opportunity to participate in sport.

 "I’ve worked in sports governance at a local level and with Offaly Sports Partnership, so I know how vital such funds are in creating opportunities for athletes. Both Offaly and Laois Sports Partnership do excellent work locally, and my thanks goes to them, and all those involved in sport at a local level for their commitment”.

Also welcoming the funding Sean Fleming TD, Minister of State said: "This funding will support Laois Sports Partnership to deliver programmes and provide necessary support to clubs and communities to participate in sport.

 "The Women in Sport allocation will fund programmes to target older women and teenage girls’ participation in sport and women in disadvantaged communities and women with a disability. This will also look at ways to increase female social participation and volunteering.

 "This investment will also support the Sport Inclusion Disability Officer in Laois to carry out the valuable work to increase the participation of people with disabilities in sport, fitness and physical activity.

 "Laois Sports Partnership do excellent work in supporting participation in sport and physical activity across the County.

 "Sport and other activity is very important for your health, physically and mentally. It is a great way to clear the mind and also to socialise and mix with other people in the community."