Minister O’Donovan Announces €5.92m Investment For Local Sports Partnership Network

 07 May 2017

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, today announced an investment package of over €5.9m from Sport Ireland to support the National Network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).

A total of €5,922,798 will be allocated to support the core work of the 29 LSPs; including the delivery of National Programmes, Education & Training initiatives, Strategic Development, Community Sports Development Officers, the Sports Inclusion Disability programme, Women in Sport Programmes and general participation programmes.


Speaking at the announcement in Limerick today, Minister O’Donovan said: “The vital work of the Local Sports Partnership Network in increasing participation, particularly among those sectors of society that are underrepresented in sport, makes a substantial contribution to the health and welfare of individuals, communities and the nation. The significant Government investment announced today will allow the Partnerships to continue to provide many sporting opportunities for people in local communities right across Ireland.”


The key aims of the LSPs are to increase levels of participation in sport especially amongst specific target groups such as older people, girls & women, people with disabilities, unemployed people, and those who live in identified disadvantaged communities. 
To ensure that people with disabilities are provided with the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, 20 LSPs will be supported with Sports Inclusion Disability Officers. 22 LSPs will be supported with Community Sports Development Officers, which will strengthen the capacity of the LSPs to further develop locally led plans and more long-term sustainable physical activity programmes under the National Physical Activity Plan.


Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey, said: “Sport Ireland has always placed a particular emphasis on ensuring sport is progressive and attracts participants from every corner of Ireland, from every age group and from all social backgrounds. One of the fundamental principles of the Local Sports Partnerships is to remove any barrier that prevents participation in sport and today’s investment will support the LSPs in the continued roll-out of programmes and initiatives which will get more people active on a regular basis.”


Throughout 2016, 291,947 people participated in 861 participation programmes delivered locally by LSPs, with 18,500 participants taking part in the Operation Transformation 5k Fun Runs and Walks and 15,500 cyclists taking part in the An Post Cycle Series. 


2016 also saw 10,404 female participants taking part in 70 local Women in Sport programmes. This year €115,000 will be invested in LSPs through the Women in Sport Programme, which aims to raise the overall physical activity levels among women.


Speaking at today’s announcement John Treacy, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, commented: “The funding announced today marks a 7% increase in Sport Ireland’s investment in the Local Sports Partnership Network. Through this investment Sport Ireland will continue its work to increase participation across the country through range of programmes and initiatives implemented by the Local Sports Partnerships. Sport Ireland warmly welcomes the support and contributions given to the Local Sports Partnership Network by statutory, community and voluntary groups right across the country.”

For further information, contact David Gash, Communications Manager by email or on 087 2277643

Notes To Editor:

  • Sport Ireland supports 29 Local Sports Partnerships to co-ordinate and promote the development of sport at local level and increase levels of participation in sport and physical activity. 
  • In 2017, a total of €5.92m will be allocated to the 29 established LSPs. 
  • This investment will support the core work of the LSP Network; including the delivery of National Programmes, Education & Training initiatives, Strategic Development, Community Sports Development Officers, the Sports Inclusion Disability programme, Women in Sport Programmes and general participation programmes.
  • €740,000 will be allocated to support Community Sports Development Officer (CSDO) positions in 22 LSPs. These Community Sports Development Officers will be tasked with activating local communities through a variety of means including the co-ordination of targeted programmes and education and training initiatives for clubs and communities. 
  • €324,845 will be allocated to support the Sports Inclusion Disability Programme across the LSP network with Sports Inclusion Disability Officers (SIDO) delivering in 20 LSP areas. 
  • €115,000 will be allocated for Women in Sport programmes. This will fund sport and physical activity programmes for female target groups including women with a disability, women in disadvantaged communities, older women and teenage girls.

2017 Local Sports Partnership Investment:

LSP Core (€) Women in sport (€) Total (€)
Carlow 159,893 2,100 161,993
Cavan 169,005 2,500 171,505
Clare 232,152 3,750 235,902
Cork     273,332 5,000 278,332
Donegal 202,341 3,000 205,341
Dublin city 229,051 13,500 242,551
Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown 129,933   129,933
Fingal 154,880 2,550 157,430
Galway 225,960   225,960
Kerry 171,487 2,000 173,487
Kildare 188,352 2,000 190,352
Kilkenny 217,193 5,000 222,193
Laois 211,684 7,500 219,184
Leitrim 191,777 3,000 194,777
Limerick 307,501 5,400 312,901
Longford 152,690 2,000 154,690
Louth 150,993   150,993
Mayo 248,826 8,250 257,076
Meath 228,892 6,350 235,242
Monaghan 188,615   188,615
Offaly 143,056 1,000 144,056
Roscommon 127,597   127,597
Sligo 259,656 20,350 280,006
South Dublin 174,217 2,000 176,217
Tipperary 296,460 11,500 307,960
Waterford 275,839 1,440 277,279
Westmeath 216,186   216,186
Wexford 132,754 2,500 135,254
Wicklow 147,476 2,310 149,786
Totals (€) 5,807,798 115,000 5,922,798
 

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