Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)

Every community in Ireland knows the value of sport. It is essential for our physical health, our mental well-being and strengthening community cohesion. Countless reports show the enormous social and health returns on every euro invested in sport. While the Minister of State and his colleagues are quick to jump on the bandwagon and praise the success of our athletes, they do so with empty words. The reality is that Ireland is near the bottom of the table for investment in sport and recreation among our EU counterparts. This Government builds up the hype with announcements of new funding but, in reality, that money is locked away from the communities that need it. Since 2019, out of €124 million allocated through the large-scale sports infrastructure fund, a mere €32 million has been drawn down. This Government has a clear inability to handle money. With one hand, it locks away funding for vital sports projects and, with the other, it spends hundreds of thousands on a single bike shed. That same money could have transformed a sports facility in Carlow or Kilkenny.

Another prime example was the decision by the Minister of State's colleagues not to draw down millions in EU Brexit adjustment funding to make them available to Irish football. This could have supported the development of our own domestic football academies post Brexit. The European Commission stated that our League of Ireland clubs would have been prime candidates for this EU funding but the Government did not even bother to apply. A clear step change is needed in how the Minister of State and his Department view sport. It cannot continue to be yet another afterthought. Sport needs to be viewed as an investment in the well-being of our society rather than as a cost.

See this speech in context