Record funding allocation to Fingal Sports Office for 2026 welcomed

Fingal County Council has welcomed a record €435,563 investment in Fingal Sports Partnership for 2026, an increase of more than €60,000 on last year. The funding will support new programmes and boost participation in sport and physical activity across the county. 

Fingal has been allocated €405,563 in Core and Programme Funding, alongside a further €30,000 dedicated specifically to Women in Sport programmes. Participation by women and girls in Women in Sport initiatives has increased by 78% nationally since 2018, making this funding a significant investment in supporting continued growth and inclusion in sport. 

This funding forms part of a total €12.66 million being allocated across the 29 LSPs, an increase of 5.9% year on year. Last year over 500,000 people across the country participated in 2,211 LSP delivered initiatives, a 48% increase since 2018.  

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary said: “I’m delighted to see this record investment in Fingal by the Government. Fingal Sports Office do such brilliant work promoting sport for all across the County. From providing vital grants for clubs to purchase equipment, to organising courses in child safeguarding, or running events such as the Fingal Sports Festival, I know this funding will be put to good use”. 

Fingal Sports Office is a member of Sport Ireland’s Network of Local Sports Partnerships who support sports by delivering innovative programmes, providing training, leading and raising the profile of sport in the County while increasing participation in sport and physical activity across the County for all. A team of sports officers provide community support to community groups, clubs, schools and business groups, and who also aim to create lifelong patterns of involvement in sport and physical activity.  

Director of Climate Action and Active Travel, David Storey said: “This investment is great news for the County as a whole. I want to commend our brilliant team of Sports Officers who continue to provide innovative and engaging programmes to encourage more people to participate in sport across the County. The €30,000 for Women in Sport is one of the highest allocations nationwide which reflects really positively on the number of women and girls participating in sport locally. Congratulations to all involved”. 

2026 marks the first year of Sport Ireland’s 3-year multi-annual funding model, a transformative development that will support improved planning, workforce stability and more strategic use of resources within sports organisations.  

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said: "This investment represents a steadfast commitment by the Government to strengthening the foundations of Irish sport. By backing National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships, it recognises their central role in delivering participation, performance and community impact across the country.”