Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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26. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to ensure that female sporting organisations receive appropriate attention, recognition and adequate funding from Sport Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64396/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The participation of women in sport is an important element of both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 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.

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 (NGBs) 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.

With regards to NGB recognition, Sport Ireland runs a formal process whereby NGBs can apply for recognition, and in turn receive funding and support. Decisions relating to recognition are entirely a matter for Sport Ireland and I have no role in the process.

As set out in its NGB Recognition Criteria, Sport Ireland recognises one governing body per sport. In the case of the sport referred to by the deputy, Snooker & Billiards Ireland (SBI) is the Sport Ireland recognised NGB for snooker and billiards in the State. Sport Ireland has never recognised the other bodies referred to by the deputy and has no formal relationship with them.

I understand that SBI has in the past redirected funding secured through the Sport Ireland WIS Programme towards one of the bodies referred to by the deputy but that it is now retaining this WIS funding to fund its own activities to support the development of women's snooker and billiards.

It is important to note that SBI, like all NGBs, is an independent autonomous organisation and, as such, is responsible for its own governance and membership structures.

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.