Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for this highly relevant question. This is a very exciting time for women's football in Ireland. I recently attended the soccer writers' awards night at which Vera Pauw spoke. The sense of sheer excitement and pride, which came from her and was shared around the room, will be reflected throughout the country as we build up to the World Cup and our women take part in it. We wish them well. It will be very exciting for us in the run-up, but they have considerable hard work to do in preparing for it. I wish them well in that. It is a great achievement and presents a real opportunity to grow the women's game even further at every level and we will do that through every avenue available to Government. There is no doubt but that it will have a positive and significant impact in increasing participation numbers.

The FAI launched its strategy for 2022 to 2025 last year. Developing the full potential of football for women and girls is a core objective of that strategy, and one the Government supports. Earlier this month, the FAI announced the appointment of Eileen Gleeson as its head of women's and girls' football to lead the continued development and growth of football for all women and girls in Ireland. This appointment is a very welcome and positive development for women's football.

Football clubs and communities throughout the country are doing excellent work in promoting football for women and girls and providing opportunities for them to participate. Addressing women's participation at all levels in sport is an important element of our national sports policy and a key priority for me and the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. Football is contributing significantly to achieving our aims in that regard.

The Government and Sport Ireland will continue to support the FAI in developing the game among women and girls. In accordance with the Government's memorandum of understanding with the FAI, funding of €5.8 million is being allocated to the FAI for football development each year between 2020 and 2023.

In addition, specific women-in-sport funding is allocated to the FAI through Sport Ireland's women-in-sport funding programme to increase women's participation and to progress the FAI's strategic objectives for women in sport. Funding of €64,000 was provided under this programme for 2021 and 2022. In December 2022, funding was provided to Sport Ireland to support a number of initiatives aimed at improving the profile and visibility of female athletes across all sports in 2023, with specific support for women in football.

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