Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the assertion in the pre-budget submission by the Federation of Irish Sport that physical activity reduces chronic diseases and mental health pressures, easing the burden on the HSE, and that 97,000 cases of disease are prevented due to sport and physical activity annually resulting in healthcare cost savings of nearly €0.5 billion; his views on whether this data is further proof of the benefit of investing more in sport; if he will seek additional core funding for sport in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52511/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.

Sport Ireland focuses its work on ensuring that Ireland is an active nation where people are encouraged to start, continue to participate, progress and achieve in sport. Participation in sport helps to improve physical and mental health and contribute to a better quality of life.

The National Sports Policy committed the Government to doubling funding to sport to more than €220 million by 2027 and I am pleased to note that this target has been achieved two years ahead of schedule with €230 million for sport allocated in the last budget. As Minister for Sport, I am committed to supporting the wider sports sector and building on what has been achieved to date.

Funding for sport in 2026 will be considered by Government in the context of the annual budgetary process and I can assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment to securing increased funding for the sports sector to continue to develop and to meet the demands of a growing population.