Laois Sports Partnership allocated €444,047 in record Government sports funding

Laois Sports Partnership has been allocated €444,047 in core funding for 2026 as part of a record €33.36 million Government investment in sport announced on Wednesday by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue.

The funding forms part of a nationwide allocation of €12.66 million to Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), representing a 5.9% increase on 2025 and the highest-ever level of core investment in the sector. Overall core funding for sport has increased by 6.5% year-on-year and by 87.4% since the publication of the National Sports Policy in 2018.

2026 also marks the first year of Sport Ireland’s new three-year multi-annual funding model, designed to provide greater stability, improve workforce planning and support long-term programme development across sporting organisations.

Welcoming the announcement, Chief Executive Officer of Laois Sports Partnership Caroline Myers said the funding would significantly enhance the organisation’s capacity to deliver inclusive and high-quality programmes across the county.

"We warmly welcome this increased Core funding allocation of €444,047 for Laois Sports Partnership. This investment will significantly strengthen our ability to plan and deliver high-quality sport and physical activity opportunities across the county." 

"It provides vital stability for our team and allows us to continue expanding inclusive programmes that support women and girls, people with disabilities, older adults and those facing socio-economic barriers. We are grateful to the Government, Sport Ireland and the Department for their continued commitment to Local Sports Partnerships and to empowering communities to be active, healthy and connected," she said.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Sean Fleming also welcomed the funding, highlighting its importance to community sport and participation levels in County Laois.

"Local Sports Partnerships are a cornerstone of community life here in County Laois," Deputy Fleming said. "Today’s allocation of €444,047 will further strengthen the work being carried out on the ground, supporting staff to deliver vital programmes, develop clubs, and promote participation in sport and physical activity at all levels."

Deputy Fleming confirmed that the allocation includes €25,000 specifically targeted at increasing and improving female participation in sport, noting recent progress in this area.

"There has been a good increase in female participation in sport in recent years and I am particularly pleased to see dedicated funding for women in sport included as part of this allocation," he said. "Through the Programme for Government, Fianna Fáil is committed to increasing overall participation in sport through targeted funding measures, including enhancing opportunities for women and girls to participate, lead and excel."

Deputy Fleming added that the funding would further enhance the capacity of Laois Sports Partnership to support disadvantaged communities through accessible and inclusive programmes, promoting lifelong physical activity, health, wellbeing and social cohesion across the county.

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Speaking at the funding announcement at the Sport Ireland Campus today, Minister O’Donovan said: "This investment represents a steadfast commitment by the Government to strengthening the foundations of Irish sport. By backing National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships, it recognises their central role in delivering participation, performance and community impact across the country. We are continuing to scale investment in participation programmes, particularly those supporting women and girls, reinforcing our commitment to further narrowing the gender participation gap in sport, and in time, to eliminate it completely. This increased funding provides the stability and support required to sustainably grow participation, and position Ireland as a leader in inclusive, high-quality sport for all."

Minister McConalogue said: "The work of NGBs and LSPs in advancing wider Government priorities underlines the central role sport plays in Irish society. This Core funding will strengthen investment in high-performing, volunteer-led organisations in 2026, enabling them to build capacity, enhance sustainability, and plan with confidence for the future. Crucially, it will support their continued efforts to make sport more inclusive and accessible - particularly for those facing socio-economic barriers and people with disabilities - while further expanding the reach and impact of LSPs as they empower communities to participate in sport and physical activity."

Sport Ireland Chairperson John Foley said: "We are extremely grateful to the Department, Minister O’Donovan, Minister McConalogue, and the wider Government, for their ongoing investment in Core funding. The NGBs and LSPs are absolutely pivotal in delivering on the aims for the National Sports Policy. Here at Sport Ireland, we stand square behind them and will continue to provide them with strategic and operational leadership."

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: "We are delighted by this generous Government investment. It’s a record level of investment and really does show just how strong the Government commitment is to developing a robust sport sector. In making investment decisions, Sport Ireland looks at the full impact of each sport - its national significance, the strength and ambition of its programmes, and the quality of its governance and operations. We place a strong emphasis on participation, membership, volunteerism and the social value sport brings to communities across the country. Above all, we are committed to ensuring a vibrant and diverse sporting landscape, so that people of all ages and backgrounds have access to a wide range of sporting opportunities."