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

I thank Deputy Hourigan for raising this issue. It is an important question. The women in sport funding was first established in 2005. Since then, more than €30 million has been invested through the national governing bodies of sport and local sports partnerships. In June this year, Deputy Hourigan's colleague, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and I announced record funding of €4 million for the women in sport programme this year.

This funding represents an increase on the €2.7 million allocated in 2023 and a doubling of the amount allocated in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In addition, in July 2023, the Minister, Deputy Martin, and I announced extra programme funding of €500,000 to support women's and girls' football. This funding was provided to the FAI through Sport Ireland and will be invested primarily in the areas of coaching, grassroots and female leadership. This significant investment will help to ensure the further development of women's football in Ireland.

As outlined in the national sports policy, narrowing the gender participation gap is a priority for the Department, the Minister and me. As noted in the Irish Sports Monitor report for 2023, sports participation among women has reached an all-time high of 46%, while the gender participation gap is now at its lowest level, at just under 3%. The Department will continue to work with Sport Ireland to close that gap and improve women's access and opportunity to actively participate in sport.

See this speech in context