James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to financially support the Irish women's football team following their success in getting to the World Cup finals in summer 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56983/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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This is a hugely exciting time for women’s football in Ireland. The wonderful achievement of the Irish women's team in qualifying for next year’s World Cup Finals presents a real opportunity to grow the women’s game even further at all levels including the women’s national league.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) launched its 2022-2025 Strategy in February this year and developing the full potential of football for women and girls is a core objective of that strategy. I note also that a separate Women and Girls Football Development Plan is expected to be finalised shortly by the FAI and that they have recently announced a recruitment process for a Head of Women’s and Girls football to continue the development of the women’s game.

Government funding is provided to the Football Association of Ireland to support increased participation in football by women and girls, including support to the FAI in Women in Sport funding for 2021 and 2022.

In accordance with the Government’s Memorandum of Understanding with the FAI, €5.8 million will be allocated to the FAI for football development each year between 2020 and 2023.