Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá áthas orm sonraí a thabhairt faoi €35 milliún breise mar mheastachán forlíontach don chlár spóirt in 2022. Chabhródh an maoiniú seo le costais fhóntais agus mhaireachtála méadaithe a mhaolú do chumainn agus eagraíochtaí spóirt. Tá go leor de na heagraíochtaí seo ag brath ar oibrithe deonacha chun oibríochtaí a chothabháil.

Increased energy costs are a major concern for sporting organisations and sporting facilities now that we are in the throes of winter and there is increased demand for indoor facilities, heat, light etc. Erratic price fluctuations by power suppliers also exacerbate an already difficult situation for budget forecasting, setting rates etc.

I am therefore delighted that €35 million is being made available in the current year to help alleviate the impact of increased energy costs for sports clubs and organisations with a view to ensuring that everyone can continue to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity over the winter months.

The purpose of this additional funding is to support sporting organisations with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport, for example, around increased indoor activity and the provision of outdoor floodlighting.

The primary target of the funding support is our sports clubs with dedicated facilities. The impact of the pandemic continues to be a challenge for many sporting clubs and bodies with the financial impacts from lost spectator revenue still an issue and in some instances, reduced membership and volunteer numbers.

As Minister of State with responsibility for sport, I am determined to support programmes and initiatives to ensure the long-term sustainability of club structures for the health and well-being of the nation.

The sports energy support scheme will be run by Sport Ireland and the funding will be distributed through the national governing bodies of sport in a similar manner to the suite of Covid supports provided to the sports sector throughout the past two years.

This funding will allow Sport Ireland to assist those sporting bodies and clubs which are in greatest need, as we strive to ensure that our sporting sector is supported at every level across the country.

Cuireadh caiteachas €105.8 milliún ar fáil cheana féin do Spórt Éireann i Meastachán Athbhreithnithe 2022, agus ciallaíonn sé seo, mar sin, gur leithdháileadh €140 milliún ar an iomlán do Spórt Éireann chun tacú leis an earnáil spóirt in 2022.