Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. I will give a bit of background information. The development of football is a matter for the FAI, which, like all national governing bodies of sport, is an independent, autonomous body that is responsible for the organisation and development of the sport. While the FAI has sought significant State funding to support its academic development plans, it is important to note the sizable financial support directed to the FAI and to football more generally over the past number of years. More than €75 million in State funding was allocated to the Football Association of Ireland between 2019 and 2024, including €30.2 million specifically to support development and aimed at promoting participation in football by young people, with the balance in funding comprising Covid-specific and energy supports to the FAI and the wider football association.

In respect of State support for the development of facilities, more than €100 million in capital funding was allocated to Irish football in the second half of 2024. Under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, €54.4 million was allocated in November 2024 to football stadium projects at Finn Harps, Dalymount Park, Sligo Rovers and Wexford. An additional €50.6 million was allocated from the community sports and equipment fund in 2024 to support the development of grassroots club football facilities nationwide.

Considerable additional financial support has been provided by the State for the development of football in Ireland, particularly through the 2020-23 memorandum of understanding between the Government and the FAI. The memorandum of understanding provided for a package of funding of €5.8 million per annum to the FAI during that four-year period up to 2023 for football development. In return, it is important to recognise the FAI has made significant progress regarding governance reform, with 159 of the 163 memorandum of understanding recommendations and conditions either complied with or phase 1 completed.

A new memorandum was signed on 17 December last, which will increase State funding to the FAI to €6 million per annum for the 2024-27 period. The bulk of this funding will go towards the FAI’s youth field sports grants, which are aimed at developing the grassroots of the game, improving coaching and playing standards, growing participation numbers and embracing communities outside of the traditional base of the sport.

The Government is also providing significant support to the hosting of the Euro 2028 football championship, which will deliver a lasting legacy for football in Ireland. Specifically, legacy funding will help deliver increased participation and related health and social benefits, especially for communities from underrepresented groups and deprived areas. Social inclusion will be key in the delivery of the tournament to ensure that legacy benefits reach a diverse and wide-ranging group. We cannot overestimate that. It is hugely important that we go out into all communities and ensure that we are engaging with those communities and getting them greater participation in sport. As the House will know, it is a great enabler for people.

The programme for Government also includes a commitment to explore new mechanisms for the creation of football academies with the FAI and the League of Ireland. In this programme for Government, we will be working through the Department of sport and with all stakeholders to ensure that this commitment is delivered on and to ensure we are reaching into each and every community.

I will leave the answer at that, but I take the Senator's well-made point. I might respond to subsequent questions.