Sep 21, 2022
One week out from Budget Day, the Federation of Irish Sport reinforced it’s message to government on why sport matters in Budget 2023 with a members breakfast briefing at Irish Sport HQ. Senior representatives from over 30 of their member organisations gathered early on the 20th September at the National Sports Campus to hear the details of the 5 asks of government. This included a detailed presentation by A&L Goodbody on the taxation reform proposal, with whom the Federation partnered with as a recommendation to Action 3.7 of the Sports Policy Action Plan 2021-2023.
Sep 7, 2022
Sunday Independent 04.09.22
The first long-term plan for Irish sport — the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 — was a real game changer. It was a long overdue recognition by our government of the important role sport plays in the life of our nation.
Key to the plan was the promise contained within it to provide the finance needed to back it up. The government committed, therefore, to double funding for sport over the 10-year lifetime of the policy.
We are now in the fifth year of the plan, and we have seen that commitment materialise year on year with additional funding going into all areas of sport including people and programmes, high performance and new facilities. We have seen a series of rounds of sports capital funding to create an ever better sporting infrastructure. And during the dark days of Covid again government stepped up to the plate with two rounds of the Sports Resilience Fund which helped governing bodies and clubs and ensured that they were there to spring into action as soon as the dark clouds departed.
Sport has always recognised the many demands on government at Budget time and this year will be no exception. Now, though, sport is properly recognised as a key element as we continue our development as a nation.
Some years ago, the Federation of Irish Sport ran a campaign under the banner ‘Irish Sport Matters’, which set out all the ways in which sport is important to us. The Federation represents all of sport’s major national governing bodies, which in turn are responsible for Ireland’s 13,000 clubs. We exist to champion their value and advocate for their value to Irish society.
Sport is good for the economy, with a €3.7bn gross value added (GVA) in terms of economic activity and it employs over 64,000 people in sports related activities. It has a major role to play in the health and fitness of our population. Sports tourism is worth at least €500m of to the economy. Sport is a major contributor to our international reputation. Our sporting volunteers’ efforts have been calculated to have a value of €1.5bn annually.
So yes, sport does matter, and we argue it will matter more than ever as we face the economic challenges before us in the coming years.
We can never be complacent. In our pre-Budget submission to government, we outline five ‘Asks’ to further improve the Irish sporting landscape. However, we recognise the ever greater demands on the Exchequer by making some suggestions as to how the funding we are seeking might be provided by some innovative changes to the tax system and some re-allocation of tax from areas where it makes sense to do just that given their connection with sport.
ASK 1: An increase in core funding and a commitment to multi-annual funding for NGBs and LSPs
In line with the commitment five years ago to double funding for sport by 2027, we are calling on government to deliver the monies already identified in the National Sports Policy to continue on that journey. When aligned to the funding commitment being multi-annual it will lead to transformative outcomes and sustained impacts on a cross section of Irish society.
ASK 2: Taxation reform — to include extending relief on donations to approved sporting bodies; VAT relief for sporting bodies; the granting of charitable status to those NGBs and LSPs who wish to pursue that option; and tax-driven incentives for personal exercise.
The Federation was asked to take the lead in examing possible taxation reforms under a number of headings: (a) the granting of charitable status for NGBs; (b) the lowering of the €250 eligibility threshold for capital reliefs on individual donations to capital projects; (c) the extension of the zero-rated VAT regime; (d) the extension of tax reliefs on capital donations to include donations for participation and coaching programmes; (e) incentivising personal exercise opportunities.
We worked with A&L Goodbody on this project and our final document has been delivered to government. The main recommendations are:
Eliminate the €250 eligibility threshold so all donations qualify for relief.
Extend tax relief on capital expenditure current expenditure, in particular on equipment and coaching.
Introduce tax relief for small cash donations (€50 or less) to approved sporting bodies in respect of all individual donations by way of standard 25 per cent top-up payment.
Introduce a nine per cent rate of VAT for the supply of sport or physical exercise classes, to incentivise getting active and mitigate costs incurred by sporting bodies.
Introduce a tax refund system on qualified costs associated with personal exercise, again as an incentive
Introduce an Employee Exercise Scheme modelled on the Cycle-to- Work scheme under which willing employers make a per annum purchase of exercise membership on behalf of the employee to a maximum of €500
Extend charitable status to NGBs and LSPs on an opt-in / opt-out basis.
ASK 3; That 2.25 per cent (approximately €2m) of the total amount of betting duty raised annually be allocated to tackle gambling addiction
In partnership with Extern Problem Gambling, we want the government to allocate funds to establish a support and education body for those most affected by gambling addiction. Deliberate, focused and sustained interventions must be taken to combat the spiralling gambling harms in Ireland. Currently there is no specific public health programme in Ireland for gambling addiction. Given how much of gambling focusses on sport, we believe this is an appropriate vehicle for such a programme.
We propose that funds equivalent to 2.25 per cent of the total annual amount of betting duty be allocated to awareness campaigns of the potential harms associated with gambling, for targeted educational interventions, to provide people involved in sports with information on the warning signs of a gambling problem and signposting information on specialist helpline and treatment services and having a dedicated helpline and treatment service to support anyone seeking help.
ASK 4; Allocate 4.5 per cent (approximately €1.5m) of the total amount of the sweetened sugar drinks tax raised to combat obesity.
The sugar sweetened drinks tax (SSDT) was introduced in 2018 and in 2020 the monies raised from this tax was €31m. We are asking for around €1.5m to tackle obesity and promote physical activity for school-going children.
Ireland has one of the highest levels of obesity in Europe, with 60 per cent of adults and over one in five children and young people either overweight or obese. In Ireland the cost of obesity and physical inactivity is €1.5 billion a year to the health budget. In 2019, 97,000 cases of disease were prevented by participation in sport and physical activity. The net value of health care and wider costs savings achieved was €0.4bn.
We want increased funding as support for schools to achieve the Active School flag. Currently 809 of our 3,300 primary schools have the flag. The intention is that the funding goes directly to NGBs, LSPS and registered practitioners to deliver programmes in schools that will earn certification and to create a Healthy Pupils Capital fund to give children access to top quality PE equipment.
ASK 5; Recognise the burden that insurance costs are placing on the delivery of sport in Ireland and undertake some much-needed reforms.
The impact of insurance costs on our members and their clubs and volunteers is seismic and continues to have a negative impact on our sector. Rising premiums and new exclusions in policies is preventing them from providing some services, their capacity to facilitate programmes and ultimately inhibiting their ability to grow as organisations. The post-Covid cost of insurance continues to act as a significant barrier to recovery and will continue to hamper our sector unless it is resolved as a matter of urgency.
When I reflect on our asks I am conscious of the many demands on government, particularly at these difficult times. However, I believe we have been innovative in how the funding might be found. We believe that sport and physical activity are more important than ever if we are to successfully navigate what lies ahead. Sport has the potential to serve as a driver of positive change in Irish society, assisting in the delivery of wider government policy objectives particularly in the areas of public health, education, social integration, tourism, and economic growth. It is important to preserve sport as a public good and use it to help realise policy goals.
The decisions made and support provided by government will define the sport and physical activity sector as well as the wellbeing and health of our nation for generations to come. We must fully harness the sport and physical activity sector to improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of the nation and sup
Mary O’Connor is the chief executive of the Federation of Irish Sport
Aug 31, 2022
TAX REFORM AT HEART OF FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT PRE-BUDGET SUBMISSION
The Federation of Irish Sport have submitted their Pre-Budget asks of government for consideration in Budget 2023. Their submission identifies 5 key asks but makes suggestion as to where funding might be found. At the core of the submission, they ask government to look seriously at how sport might be supported by reforming elements of the tax system to benefit Sport and Physical Activity.
Overall, the FIS Pre-Budget Submission highlights the urgent need for on-going support of the sector that is worth over €3.7bn (GVA) to the Irish Economy. The Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) Report has shown the severe setback caused to the sector in meeting targets set out in the National Sports Policy (NSP), due to the impact of Covid-19. In some areas, the figures had regressed to 2019 levels.
View Pre-Budget Submission here
- Federation demonstrates how Action 3.7 of Sports Action Plan can benefit all sports
- Submission highlight’s sport’s €3.7 billion GVA contribution to economy
- Call for government to continue current funding investment in keeping with ambition of National Sports Policy
- Greater certainty also needed as government asked to move to multi-annual system for funding
- FIS also asks government to allocate funds from betting and from sugar tax to use sport to tackle these problems
- Need to reform insurance costs in relation to sport
Action 3.7 of the Sports Policy action plan 2021-2023 contains a number of tax expenditure reforms which at their core seek to help make sporting organisations become more self-sustainable and less reliant on government. The Federation of Irish Sport was given responsibility to drive this action and they have enlisted the support of A&L Goodbody. A full report has recently been made available to government.
The overall ask is that the government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the National Sports Policy by increasing core funding for member NGBs and LSPs in line with its stated ambition to double the level of overall sports funding over the life of the National Sports Policy. In tandem with this they ask government to move to a multi-annual system of core funding for sport and physical activity by confirming the annual increase in funding in line with the National Sports Policy – thereby giving the NGB’s and LSP’s the opportunity to plan ahead.
In the third and fourth recommendations to government, the Federation believe that the reallocation of funding from the betting duty of 2.25% and a redirecting of 4.5% of the sweetened sugar drinks tax would significantly enable the implementation of a support and educational body that would accelerate behavioural change and health benefits in each area.
The Federation’s final ask of Government, is that they look closely at insurance reform. Insurance Reforms are needed that will quickly reduce liability premiums to affordable levels. These reforms have been identified but they are not happening fast enough and are consequently negatively impacting the sports sector and its ability to providing sporting facilities and host sporting events.
Speaking on the launch of the Pre-Budget Submission Federation of Irish Sport CEO Mary O’Connor said; “It is vital that the NGB’s and the LSP’s have continuing access to the funding necessary to facilitate the achievement of the aims of the National Sports Policy as well as their own strategic objectives, we have said on many occasions it is equally important that the government commits to such funding on a multi-annual basis if we are to realise the potential of all funding and make impactful and sustainable interventions.
“What we are proposing here today are achievable means by which the Government can immediately boost the sports sector at no extra cost to the exchequer.”
Sport and the Economy Facts & Figures:
Health: 97,000 cases of disease in Ireland in 2019 were prevented by participation in sport and physical activity. The net value of health care and wider costs savings achieved was €0.4bn in 2019.
Employment: 64,080 people were employed in sport in Ireland in 2018. Sport-related jobs account for 2.8% of all Irish employment, up from 2.1% in 2008.
Consumer Expenditure: €3.3bn spent by people in Ireland on sport-related goods and services in 2018. Sport made up 3.1% of all consumer expenditure in Ireland in 2018 (up from 2% in 2008).
The sport economy has grown faster than the economy as a whole over the last 10 years.
Gross Value Added: €3.7bn (GVA) Total value of sport to the Irish economy in 2018.
Source: Researching the value of sport in Ireland – Sport Ireland and Sheffield Hallam University, September 2021 https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2021-09/vos-report-final-19-07-21.pdf
Aug 9, 2022
Confirmation of 2022 National Governing Body Funding
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers and Sport Ireland today reaffirmed their ongoing commitment in supporting the development and enhancement of National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).
Further to Sport Ireland’s established investment criteria, diversity & inclusion along with improved governance & greater gender balance have been identified as key priorities for 2023.
In addition to the provision of increased Core Funding in 2022, a specific Winter Initiative aimed at increasing sports participation and boosting NGB & Club Membership also features.
These four priorities are reflective of National Policy and seek to support continued NGB recovery & growth post COVID 19.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD welcomed the announcement, saying: “Continued Government investment in sport will be essential in ensuring a full recovery for the sport sector after two difficult years of Covid-19 restrictions and also in ensuring that that our objectives for sport are achieved. The €15 million investment in core funding for NGBs this year reflects Sport Ireland’s recognition of the central role that NGBs play in Irish sport.
“As part of our ongoing investment, it is important that key Government policies relating to diversity and inclusion, gender balance and governance as well as our Covid-19 recovery initiatives are prioritised and I welcome the inclusion of these priority areas in Sport Ireland’s terms and conditions of grant funding for next year.”
Speaking at today’s announcement, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD commented: “With the assistance of significant Government investment in recent years, the sport sector has proven itself to be a resilient and vibrant sector which has delivered many benefits for our society. We have set ambitious objectives for sport in the areas of participation, high performance and governance and sporting organisations are delivering on these objectives.
“From 2023, Sport Ireland’s grant funding to sporting organisations will be more closely aligned to our key policies for sport with four funding priorities being included as an important element of Sport Ireland’s grant funding criteria. These priorities relate to adoption of the Governance Code of Sport, achievement of 40% gender balance on Boards of NGBs, development of Diversity & Inclusion Plans, and support for the delivery of the Government’s Winter Initiative as part of the sector’s recovery from Covid-19. The inclusion of these funding priorities for 2023 will ensure that the State’s investment in sport is delivering on policy objectives and will, in turn, deliver greater benefits for everyone involved in sport.”
Governance
Sport Ireland will continue to place a strong emphasis on ensuring good governance across the sector. In line with the National Sports Policy, the majority of National Governing Bodies have to date fully adopted the Governance Code for Sport. Continued provision of Sport Ireland funding is reliant on ongoing adoption and adherence.
Gender Balance
NGBs are required by the end of 2023 to achieve a minimum of 40% female representation on their Boards. At present, 39 NGBs have 30% or more female representation at Board level with a number of NGBs already reporting a 40/60 gender split on their Board.
Diversity and Inclusion
In May 2022 Sport Ireland launched its first Diversity and Inclusion Policy. The Sports Action Plan 2021 – 2023 places an important emphasis on diversity and inclusion, and the implementation of this Policy will drive that process forward. Governing Bodies will be expected to work with Sport Ireland in developing suitable diversity and inclusion plans for their organisations.
2022 -2023 Winter Initiative
As part of the post COVID 19 recovery Sport Ireland will seek support from National Governing Bodies in the delivery of an annual Winter Initiative for Sport. The primary focus of the initiative will be to:
- Further contribute to the public health agenda, post pandemic
- Provide additional opportunities for the public to engage and re-engage in sport and physical activity in communities across the country
- Increase the visibility of NGBs and their affiliated Clubs within their local communities
- Contribute to the ongoing recovery and growth of NGB and Club membership
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland Dr. Una May commented: “Today’s announcement will provide the NGB’s with clarity around the funding priorities and areas of focus for 2023. We have already seen a strong emphasis from the vast majority of NGBs across these areas and Sport Ireland will continue to roll-out supports to assist all of our funded bodies meet these requirements.”
Core Funding 2022
2022 sees an increase in NGB investment with an additional €1,155,000 being invested in the sector bringing the total Core funding levels up to €15m. A further €115,000 and €60,000 were allocated to the Federation of Irish Sport and Student Sport Ireland in support its ongoing work with the sector.
2022 Core Funding was approved by the Board of Sport Ireland in December 2021, with NGBs in receipt of funding since the beginning of 2022.
Field Sport Investment
Additionally Sport Ireland has provided annual investment in the three large field sports – IRFU, GAA & FAI. A total of €2,389,653 has been allocated to the GAA and €2,250,843 to the IRFU. Funding provided by Sport Ireland supports vital coaching, games development and technical development programmes in both the GAA and IRFU.
As per the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the Government and the Football Association of Ireland, €5.8 million in funding will be made available to the FAI for football development programmes, pending approval by the Board of Sport Ireland.
Aug 4, 2022
Clubforce, the Irish tech business making sport happen, has partnered with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation to drive inclusivity in sport. The Rio Ferdinand Foundation is a youth and community development charity. Clubforce will be teaming up with the charity which works in the heart of the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation was set up in 2012 by Rio Ferdinand OBE, an English former professional footballer, following issues of inequality he experienced in his own life. Since its inception, the Foundation is now working in communities across Ireland and the UK, with regional hubs in Belfast, Manchester, and London. The Foundation supports more than 10,000 youths, helping them to realise their potential.
The Foundation empowers young people to tackle the inequalities they face. They do this by creating opportunities so they can achieve their personal potential and also so they can drive social change on a greater scale. The charity provides support under four strategic themes: safe spaces; health and wellbeing; strong, safe, and inclusive communities; and progression, skills, and employability.
The partnership comes as both organisations’ missions are so similarly aligned. Clubforce strives to encourage health and well-being through sport as well as inclusivity, diversity, and participation for all. Clubforce sees the value in sport as the big leveller where prejudices have always had to take a backseat. Sport can be used as a tool for good in that it brings people joy, impacting their mental and physical wellness positively, and connecting them with a community where they are supported through friendship.
The Rio Ferdinand Foundation sees the potential in sport as a universal platform for inclusivity. The partnership will enable Clubforce and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation to tackle inequality issues faced by young people and encourage everyone on and off the field to participate. In addition to positioning both organisations to achieve their mission, the partnership enables Clubforce to follow through on its plans to expand into the UK.
Rio Ferdinand, Foundation Founder said of the partnership – “We are delighted to collaborate with a community-focused software company developing technology to promote sports participation and make sport accessible to all. We are on the same journey.”
Noel Murray, CEO, Clubforce – “As we grow in the UK we are delighted to partner with Rio Ferdinand, Gary Stannett and his team, and support the excellent work they are doing on the ground.”
Rachel Kavanagh CMO, Clubforce – “We are full of admiration for the work done by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, especially for girls. I’m especially excited to hear about programs such as GoGirl, building the confidence of young women and girls to achieve their potential. We’re looking forward to contributing to the efforts made by the Foundation to drive inclusion and sports participation across genders in both geographies.”
Clubforce is the only all-in-one sports club management platform that enables club volunteers to manage all aspects of their club on a single platform. Currently, the tech business is helping more than 2000 clubs to grow and thrive. The business has been operating in Ireland since 2009 and is proceeding with its plans to enter the UK market.
Clubforce has seen massive development over the past year, entering strategic partnerships with numerous sports tech businesses and appointing a new CEO, Noel Murray. Clubforce is excited to enter the UK by partnering with an inspiring foundation that is helping so many youths to tackle the inequality issues they face on a daily basis. The team is thrilled to add to the Rio Ferdinand Foundation’s current impressive efforts and build the bridge to make sport accessible to all.
ENDS
Jul 25, 2022
Sport Ireland launches €2,000,000 ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund as part of this year’s NGB Dormant Accounts Fund
- €2m funding available for clubs to support disability specific activities in sports clubs
- Total funding package of €4m aims to break down barriers to participation
- Closing date for applications from NGBs is Monday, September 1st, 2022
Sport Ireland has today opened the application process for a €2million ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund.
The Scheme will be open to the affiliated clubs of Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Bodies (NGBs). The fund offers every club affiliated with a Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Body an opportunity to provide inclusive programmes and supports for people with a disability.
The fund will support the initiation or enhancement of disability specific activities within grassroots sports clubs. Clubs will apply directly to their NGB for funding. NGBs will in turn submit a consolidated application on behalf of its club network to Sport Ireland.
Clubs can apply for funding of between €1,000 and €5,000 to support the following areas:
- Disability Supports Education & Training
- Disability Supports Programme Activation and Delivery
- Disability Supports Small Scale Equipment and Infrastructure
Speaking about the Dormant Accounts Funding, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD, said: “The NGB Club Fund being launched today responds directly to the commitment made in the Sport Action Plan 2021-2023 that I launched last November. Helping the sports sector, especially the club network, to recover from the damage caused by the pandemic is one of my top priorities alongside the promotion of a “sport-for-all” ethos across the sector. There’s €2million being set aside under this new Fund and it presents a great opportunity for sports clubs everywhere to consider how they might make their sport even more accessible for people in their communities, especially those with a disability. Sport can offer so many benefits to people’s health and wellbeing and we need to make that a reality on the ground for more and more people.”
Funding guidelines will be distributed directly to all eligible Sport Ireland recognised NGBs. The closing date for applications from NGBs to Sport Ireland will be Monday, September 1st, 2022. It is anticipated that an announcement of funding allocations will be made by December 2022. All club enquires in relation to the ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund should be made directly to the relevant Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Body.
The ‘Sport for All’ Disability Supports Club Fund is part of a broader €4 million Dormant Accounts Fund investment programme that aims to support the delivery of the Government’s ‘Sport for All’ initiative along with Sport Ireland’s Diversity & Inclusion, Disability and Women in Sport Policies.
Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of Sport Ireland commented: “Today’s announcement of the investment package for Dormant Accounts Funding will allow for exciting initiatives and projects that will promote sport and physical activity in society. The continuation of this funding will go a long way to having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities across Ireland.”.
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland Dr. Una May added: “The Dormant Account Funding has given NGBs and sports clubs in Ireland the opportunity to get new programmes and initiatives off the ground that may not have been possible without this injection of funding. The investment means more opportunities within sports and clubs become possible, with our NGB’s and their members benefiting in return. I want to thank the government once again for this approved funding which will be of major benefit to the sports sector.”
Ends.
