Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Funding for all forms of sport is wise and represents a fruitful investment. Helping to nurture a love of sport is a gift that will keep on giving, especially for our young people. Ireland is a nation of sports lovers. From our cities to our villages and our crossroads, there will always be those who mentor players, those who love to run clubs and maintain facilities, and of course those who love to actively participate in sport. Sport brings communities together. It builds and strengthens them. Sport of any kind is a leveller because it connects people from all backgrounds and unites them in a shared aim. For generations, the majority of Irish people have been sports fanatics. Team colours are worn with pride. Flags are flown outside homes and businesses. The joys and misfortunes of games are debated at every opportunity. Successes are celebrated like the Second Coming, while a bad day is dissected and lamented endlessly. Either way, the passion for sport ignites people's minds and builds lifelong bonds and friendships with fellow players and supporters.

While our passion for the GAA will always hold a huge place in Irish hearts, there has also been a spiralling love of football, so much so that it has become the number one participation team sport in the country according to Sport Ireland. Football has become so popular among Irish people that, similar to the GAA, it now boasts clubs in every corner of the country. Ireland has an ever-growing reputation for producing exceptionally talented players. Legions of supporters are devoted to the game. Statistics have shown that approximately 16% of Irish people play and watch football in Ireland, while 3.5 million young people aged over 16 play football at least once per week. On any given evening, across my constituency of Tipperary and in every part of the country, we will find people engaged in some aspect of sport. These sporting activities generate revenue both locally and nationally. Sporting events attract supporters who spend money that supports businesses, creates jobs, and stimulates the economy both locally and nationally. Pre-pandemic figures show that sports-related spending contributed €3.7 billion in value, which is added value, to the economy.

That is the equivalent of 1.4% of GDP. What these figures do not show are the economic savings that result from people's participation in sport.

The greatest benefit of sport is its positive impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of those involved. This, in turn, significantly reduces the burden on our health system. Whatever people's chosen sport may be, their participation is to be welcomed, applauded and, above all, encouraged. Sports encourage people to reach their fitness goals and maintain a healthy weight while also encouraging the making of health decisions, such as decisions not to smoke, drink or engage in substance abuse. Sport provides excellent mental health benefits, such as greater confidence, and improves social and personal skills, including co-operation and leadership. This can have a positive, protective influence on a young person's life by preventing boredom and isolation, while at the same time creating greater self-awareness and self-confidence through the positive social interaction that sports allow for.

This motion calls for an increase in funding for the FAI. It requests an improvement in all sections from grassroots clubs to League of Ireland clubs and international teams. Right across Tipperary, there are local clubs that cater for players of all ages, and they would enthusiastically welcome additional funding. A funding increase should be directed primarily at this local level. It should be spent on providing coaching and facilities for the youth and incorporated to a greater extent into our schools. This is the level that will ultimately benefit most from involvement in football. It will lay the groundwork for the future.

We must support football. It needs hard cash to develop and achieve its potential. It is essential for us to provide facilities and equipment. We need to modernise the small clubs across Tipperary and the rest of the country. I have supported and assisted many clubs across Tipperary. Much more needs to be done.

The FAI has a strong case that stands on its merit but it is a mistake for it to criticise the racing fund and seek to divert part of it. The FAI case for funding is a stand-alone one. I support the principle of Exchequer funding to build, grow and develop football, release the potential that exists and guide the sport through a successful and cost-effective future.

Investment in sport yields a dividend in cash returned to the Exchequer and in many other ways. A perfect example is the investment in the bloodstock industry. For decades, strong Government support ensured we could build a fledgling racing industry into a world leader in racing and bloodstock. That industry continues to grow and is worth €2.5 billion to the Irish economy. In excess of 30,000 jobs were supported by the racing and breeding industry in 2022. These jobs are mostly rural and provide vital economic activity in towns and villages throughout the country. This means that for every euro of Government support in 2022, the racing and breeding industry returned €35 to the Irish economy, €17 of which was from the core industry. More than €500 million in annual expenditure on racing and breeding is from foreign direct investment. That investment would not be sustained if investors did not have the confidence to invest in an industry that has Government support. Ireland competes for investment in a highly competitive international bloodstock market. Every other racing jurisdiction Ireland competes with is funded directly or indirectly by its government. Therefore, I support the motion wholeheartedly. Investment in football and other sports is wise. It pays a dividend and we should continue to do it.

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