Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions his Department is taking to encourage the participation of females in sport. [52514/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The participation of women in sport is an important element of both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the associated Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 and represents a core priority for me and my Department.

This Government is committed to a "Sport for All" approach aimed at ensuring that all persons can partake equally in sport and physical activity. This commitment is reaffirmed in the Programme for Government and is also reflected in Sport Ireland's Women in Sport Policy.

Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport Policy was launched in 2019 and was subsequently updated in 2023 due to advancements made within the sector and society in general. It builds on the significant work that has already been undertaken in this area and, in recognising the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of women through their involvement in sport, it provides a blueprint for Sport Ireland’s future work.

The Women in Sport (WIS) funding programme, administered by Sport Ireland, was first established in 2005 and since then over €30 million has been invested through the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnership network.

This year Sport Ireland announced an investment of €4 million under the Women in Sport programme for 2025. This is vital funding to support sporting bodies, and my Department will continue to support programmes to increase women’s participation in all sports and to progress strategic objectives for women in sport across all areas including active participation, coaching, officiating, and leadership.

The Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) Report for 2024, shows that sport participation levels among women is at 47%, an increase of one percentage point since 2023, and the gap between men and women is now less than 3%.

In terms of governance, the Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 requires national governing bodies of sport and local sports partnerships to have at least 40% Women on their boards as a condition of their funding. As of December 2024, the average board composition of these organisations was approaching 50% women.

As Minister for Sport, I will continue to tackle issues to ensure that women’s sport reaches parity with its male equivalent and that females do not drop out of sport due to a lack of adequate training facilities or access to opportunities.