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Press release

Ministers Announce €4m Funding for Women in Sport Programme

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan T.D., and Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue T.D., have announced investment of €4m under the Women in Sport (WIS) Programme for 2025.

The funding allocation matches the record amount invested last year and represents more than double the amount allocated in 2022.

The WIS Programme funds projects and initiatives across a wide range of sports. These projects support the Government’s vision for women in sport as one where women have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, while enjoying a lifelong involvement in sport.

This year, 2025, marks twenty years of ringfenced funding for women’s sport in Ireland following the establishment of the WIS Programme. To date, over €30 million has been invested in women’s sports through the fund.

The further investment will support National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships to enhance all aspects of women’s involvement in sports across the WIS Programme target areas, including active participation, coaching, officiating and leadership.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan T.D., said:

This investment in women’s sport will enable more women and girls to be involved in sport across all levels from grassroots to high performance. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to eliminate the gender participation gap by 2027. The funding announced today will support sporting organisations in putting programmes in place to increase women’s participation in their sports and assist in achieving this ambitious goal.

Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue T.D., said:

The funding allocated by government to support the participation of women and girls in sport is delivering real and meaningful change. The Women in Sport Programme has been a key enabler in the decline of the gender participation gap in recent years. It is vital that women’s involvement in

sport is not confined to participation and the funding announced today will support initiatives in areas including coaching, officiating and leadership.

Sport Ireland CEO, Dr Úna May, said:

The evolution of the Women in Sport Policy and sustained funding is a testament to the progress made over the past two decades and reflects our shared commitment to gender equality in sport. By empowering women and girls to participate, lead, and excel at every level, we are building a more inclusive and dynamic sporting culture across Ireland.

Sport Ireland Director and Women in Sport Lead, Nora Stapleton, said:

We’ve seen first-hand how targeted investment can open doors, shift mindsets, and inspire confidence. With this continued support, we’re excited to build on that momentum and ensure that every woman and girl in Ireland feels welcome and valued in sport. While a lot has been achieved in the last number of years, the Women in Sport Policy clearly highlights where gaps and opportunities still exist. Funding such as this is vital to support organisations in closing these gaps and capitalising on the opportunities.

Chairperson of the Women in Sport Committee, Michelle Tanner, said:

The Women in Sport Policy has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and creating opportunities—not just on the field of play, but in boardrooms, coaching roles, and officiating.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

  • The total allocation to the Women in Sport Programme for 2025 is €4,000,000.
  • Funding to 50 organisations totals €3,050,000 and will be allocated across three strands

    • National Governing Body Women in Sport Funding Allocation – totalling €1,880,000 (44 NGBs)
    • A total of €1,100,000 will be ringfenced for the Large Field Sport Organisations and allocated in the coming months for projects and women in sport plans submitted.
    • An additional €70,000 will be distributed under Special Projects to 6 NGBs who are leading out on collaborative projects.
  • The remaining €950,000 is strategically invested in Women in Sport projects such as the Her Moves campaign, WIS Leadership Programmes, media internships, visibility research (gender representation in sports media) as well as small scale grants to NGBs, LSPs, and other funded bodies to support local delivery of national campaigns such as Her Outdoors Week and Women in Sport Week.
  • Women in Sport is central to the work of Sport Ireland. Since 2005, the Women in Sport Programme has invested in a wide range of initiatives delivered by NGBs, LSPs and funded bodies to further the agenda of gender equality in sport.
  • The four key target areas of the Sport Ireland Policy on Women in Sport remain as key topics to which NGBs, and funded bodies, should develop programmes or initiatives under: Coaching & Officiating; Active Participation; Leadership & Governance; and Visibility
  • Sport Ireland is committed to increasing women’s sustained involvement in sport as coaches, volunteers, club members, athletes, advocates, leaders, and participants from grassroots to the podium.