The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, has announced funding of over €1.68m to Sport Ireland, for a range of initiatives promoting physical activity.

This funding is provided through Healthy Ireland, the National Framework for improving the health and wellbeing of people living in Ireland.

Through the Healthy Ireland Fund, Sport Ireland continues to support inclusive physical activity participation. The annual allocation currently supports national programmes, including;

● Get Ireland Walking, Running, and Cycling

● Special Olympics Ireland

● GAA Gambling Awareness

● Student Sport Ireland

● Swimming, Hockey and Table Tennis

● Olympic Federation of Ireland

● Age and Opportunity

Sport Ireland continues to work with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health in relation to the Physical Activity Pathways in Healthcare Model, which will promote physical activity for people living with chronic conditions.

Funding of €1,680,500 consists of:

● €743,500 for national programmes and other core activities outlined above;

● €400,000 for the Open Water Swimming Fund

● €537,000 for Physical Activity for Health

Minister Murnane O’Connor said: “As Minister for Public Health and Wellbeing, the promotion of physical activity is of huge importance to me. Sport Ireland is a respected partner and brand ambassador for Healthy Ireland. They understand our vision to make Ireland the most physically active country in Europe by 2040, and they actively work to promote this.

“I am very pleased to announce this significant funding, which will support a wide range of projects and programmes that will enable communities to be more active.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue said: "This Government is committed to supporting communities so more people can participate and reap the benefits of sport, from grassroots right up to high performance level. The Healthy Ireland Fund plays an important role in furthering that goal.

"I am particularly pleased to see funding that supports our national swimming strategy, which aims to ensure everyone has a viable opportunity to swim, regardless of where they live.

"An investment in sport is an investment in the health of the nation."

Dr Úna May, Sport Ireland CEO, said: "The Healthy Ireland investment in Sport Ireland programmes is welcomed. This funding supports dedicated campaigns such as Get Ireland Walking, Get Ireland Running, and the Physical Activity for Health Programme.

"Our programmes deliver preventative public health benefits by increasing physical activity, supporting chronic condition management, and reducing social isolation across communities. Working together we're able to address key health challenges and break down barriers to participation.”

Healthy Ireland has been working to support increased physical activity levels in the population since the launch of the Healthy Ireland Framework in 2013. It has worked closely with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (DCCS), Sport Ireland, the HSE, and other partners, on the implementation of the National Physical Activity Plan since its launch in 2016. Further implementation will continue through its successor, the National Physical Activity Framework 2024-2040.

Monitoring of the expenditure will be overseen jointly by Sport Ireland, Healthy Ireland and the DCCS.