A–Z of sports & activities supported by Dormant Accounts Tranche 2 funding
More than €5m in Dormant Accounts Funding is to be awarded to National Governing Bodies of sport. This generous investment, recently announced by the Government, will support a wide array of exceptional projects across the country. Explore this A–Z, which showcases some of the many ways Dormant Accounts funding is driving meaningful change, expanding access, and supporting participation for people of all abilities and backgrounds.
A is for... archery
Archery Ireland has been awarded €135,500 in Tranche 2 Dormant Accounts Funding across multiple external projects. This will include €65,000 in disability capital to source and purchase adaptive archery equipment to allow greater access to more disability groups.
B is for... badminton
Badminton Ireland has been awarded €238,500 in Dormant Accounts Funding spanning several projects. Included in this is €60,000 of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) funding that will go toward the 'Leaders of the Future' Schools + Inclusion Programme, which provides education, equipment, and competition opportunities to DEIS schools that have not had previous exposure to the game.
C is for... canoeing
Canoeing Ireland has been awarded €125,000 across multiple projects. EDI funding of €55,000 will help create inclusive opportunities for this community to engage with paddle sports in partnership with local clubs and Sanctuary Paddlers programme.
D is for... Disability Capital Support, Disability Programmes, and Disability Training & Education
There is a focus on disability sports funding under three schemes in Dormant Accounts Funding - Disability Capital Support, Disability Programmes, and Disability Training & Education Fund – to a total of €2m.
These schemes have been put in place to initiate, advance or accelerate local disability initiatives to support the National Sports Policy, as well as the Sport Ireland Policy on Participation in Sport for People with Disabilities, the Sport Ireland Disability Inclusion in Sport - Statement of Commitment and Action and National Physical Activity Plan.
E is for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The National Governing Body (NGB) Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Fund aims to support NGBs in delivering projects that address barriers to participation for individuals from diverse communities, regardless of socioeconomic background, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.
F is for... football
The Football Association of Ireland was awarded €170,500 across multiple projects. Included in this is €55,000 of disability capital funding to provide a range of disability sports equipment to schools.
G is for... Get Ireland Running / Cycling / Swimming / Walking Initiatives
Dormant Accounts Funding has supported Get Ireland Running / Cycling / Swimming / Walking programmes from 2016 to 2024. The 2025 investment of €500,000 will continue to strengthen and expand these initiatives over 2025 and 2026.
These allocations support Action 5 of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, which prioritises sports such as swimming, cycling, and running to foster higher levels of active participation across all stages of life
H is for... Her Moves
Her Moves seeks to inspire and empower teenage girls to be active, building their confidence, opening up new opportunities, and offering a fresh perspective on sports.
The Her Moves Programme Fund, which handed out €100,000 this year, supports the development of initiatives designed to reduce dropout rates in sport and physical activity among adolescent girls.
I is for... Irish Wheelchair Association
The Irish Wheelchair Association was awarded €249,500 across multiple projects. Included in this is Disability Capital Funding of €90,000 towards essential sport equipment for the IWA para sports programme.
J is for... judo
The Irish Judo Association has been awarded €5,000 from the Disability Training & Education Fund.
K is for... karate
The Official National Amateur Karate Association of Ireland was awarded €11,000 (€8,000 from the Her Moves Programme Fund and €3,000 from the Disability Training & Education fund).
L is for... lawn bowls
The Irish Lawn Bowls Association was awarded €3,000 from the Disability Training & Education fund to help upskill volunteer coaches to have a better understanding of how to adapt to a range of disabilities.
M is for... mountaineering
Mountaineering Ireland was awarded €191,500. It received funding through the following projects - Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sport (€54,000); Disability Programmes (€5,000); and the Volunteer Support Fund (€22,500), and Get Ireland... (€110,000).
N is for... NGB Community Sports & Physical Activity Hubs
The NGB Community Sports & Physical Activity Hubs bring local communities together and provide a central support hub for clubs and sports organisations. They offer information, advice, and support on NGB activities to encourage greater participation in sport and physical activity, particularly in disadvantaged areas.
O is for... orienteering
Orienteering Ireland received €37,500 in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sport funding. This will provide funded places for staff from DEIS schools, disadvantaged and marginalised community groups on an orienteering training course.
P is for... policy
The National Sports Policy (2018-2027) aims to boost sports participation to 50% of the population and create a more inclusive, vibrant, and successful sporting landscape, supported by an Action Plan focusing on disability, gender, local plans, and school access.
A core value of the policy is inclusion, with the policy stating that sport must be welcoming and inclusive, offering appropriate opportunities for participation and improvement to all.
Q is for... quality of life
Participation in sport helps to improve physical and mental health, protect against a range of non-communicable diseases and contribute to a better quality of life. But more needs to be done to make sure people with disabilities can access sport. Dormant Accounts Funding plays an important part in this.
R is for... rowing
Rowing Ireland has been awarded €187,500 in Dormant Accounts Funding across multiple projects. Some of this funding will go to the Get Rowing TrY Leadership Programme, a peer-led initiative by Rowing Ireland that trains Transition Year students to become indoor rowing coaches.
S is for... snooker
Snooker & Billiards Ireland has been awarded €62,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding across multiple projects.
T is for... table tennis
Table Tennis Ireland has been awarded €89,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding across multiple projects. EDI funding of €55,000 will help clubs create an inclusive table tennis environment by engaging people with disabilities and marginalised communities through outreach, education, and integration, promoting lifelong participation.
U is for... underrepresented groups
The Irish Sports Monitor survey 2024 shows that the benefits of active participation in sport are not enjoyed equally by all sectors in our society. Participation levels in sport are significantly smaller among lower socio-economic groups, people with a disability, older groups and (to a lesser extent) females. Addressing this will be at the heart of our efforts as we seek to increase participation.
V is for... Volunteer Supports
In alignment with the Sport Ireland Policy on Volunteering in Sport, this fund aims to increase the number, skillset, and diversity of volunteers within Irish sport.
This funding stream of €780,000 is designed to enhance volunteer engagement within underserved communities and with people with disabilities, fostering more inclusive sports environments.
It aims to increase the diversity of volunteers, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, asylum seekers, refugees and individuals with disabilities, ensuring that volunteers are better equipped to support these communities in sport and physical activity. Almost 30 funded bodies will benefit from this support.
W is for... weightlifting
Weightlifting Ireland received €10,000 in Diversity Programmes funding.
X is for... eXtra content
There are just not enough letters in the alphabet for us to mention every National Governing Body of sport that benefits from Dormant Accounts Funding! But don’t worry, the brochure at the bottom of the page has a breakdown of where exactly this money is going and you can read the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport press release here.
Y is for... youth leadership
Sport Ireland supports various youth leadership initiatives via Dormant Accounts Funding to develop young people’s skills, confidence, and engagement in sports. It does this through programs and partnerships with bodies like Vision Sports Ireland, aiming to foster future coaches, volunteers, and leaders with practical skills, personal growth, and pathways to education or employment in the sports sector.
Z is for... zero barriers
Unfortunately, lots of people from diverse communities face barriers to participation. Sport Ireland is committed to ensuring all individuals - regardless of socioeconomic background, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity – can take part in and enjoy sport. The Dormant Accounts Funding is an important part of Sport Ireland’s strategy to ensuring there are zero barriers to sport participation for everybody.