Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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140. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the recent positive report from Sport Ireland highlighting that active sports participation has reached its highest level ever; the way in which he will continue to support the take-up of sport in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34756/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Increasing participation levels in sport among all cohorts is a key objective of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and is a priority for me in my role as Minister for Sport. I therefore welcome the results of the Irish Sports Monitor 2024 survey which revealed that active sports participation has reached record levels, with 49% of the population now taking part in sport on a weekly basis.

The increase means that Ireland is on track to achieve the target set out in the National Sports Policy that 50% of adults actively participate in sport by 2027. The data gathered by Sport Ireland via the Sports Monitory survey is an essential tool that provides an evidence base for the policy decisions that are made by Government to improve the take up of sport in Ireland.

Despite the significant progress made to date and the growth in participation rates among both men and women, the Sports Monitor results indicate that the gender participation gap remains at just under 3%. This month I announced investment of €4 million under the Women in Sports Programme for 2025. The funding will support the participation of women and girls in sport as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the gender participation gap by 2027 as outlined in the National Sports Policy.

The survey results showed that more work needs to be done with regards to active sport participation among persons living with a disability in Ireland as the participation rate among this cohort currently stands at 32%.

Increased funding secured for sport in Budget 2025 enabled Sport Ireland to appoint a Disability in Sport Lead in February of this year. The creation of the post was an action set out in both the Sport Action Plan 2024-2027 and the Sport Ireland Statement and Commitment to Action in Disability Sport. This was in turn reflected in the Programme for Government.

The role has the potential to be transformational and will allow for focused leadership and directed investment to address the National Sports Policy targets for increased participation among those with a long-term illness or disability.