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Laois Sports Partnership will receive €444,047 in core funding in 2026 This funding will help Laois Sports Partnership continue work with people across Laois who face the greatest barriers to taking part in sport and physical activity Laois Sports Partnership welcome €444,047 in core funding which supports the everyday work happening locally, creating welcoming spaces to be active and helping people feel connected through sport. It forms part of a wider €12.66 million investment in Local Sports Partnerships nationwide, within a record €33.36 million core funding package for Irish sport. Investment in Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) has increased by 5.9% compared to 2025, with a total investment of €12.66 million being allocated across the 29 LSPs.   Announced today by Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, the funding is the highest ever level of Core investment in sport and represents a 6.5% increase on 2025 levels and an 87.4% increase on the €17.8 million investment in 2018, when the National Sports Policy was published.   Sport Ireland, CEO, Dr Úna May said:  “We are delighted by this generous Government investment. It’s a record level of investment and really does show just how strong the Government commitment is to developing a robust sport sector. In making investment decisions, Sport Ireland looks at the full impact of each sport – its national significance, the strength and ambition of its programmes, and the quality of its governance and operations. We place a strong emphasis on participation, membership, volunteerism and the social value sport brings to communities across the country. Above all, we are committed to ensuring a vibrant and diverse sporting landscape, so that people of all ages and backgrounds have access to a wide range of sporting opportunities.”  Laois Sports Partnership, CEO, Caroline Myers welcomed the funding saying:  “We warmly welcome this increased Core funding allocation of €444,047 for Laois Sports Partnership. This investment will significantly strengthen our ability to plan and deliver high-quality sport and physical activity opportunities across the county. It provides vital stability for our team and allows us to continue expanding inclusive programmes that support women and girls, people with disabilities, older adults and those facing socio-economic barriers. We are grateful to the Government, Sport Ireland and the Department for their continued commitment to Local Sports Partnerships and to empowering communities to be active, healthy and connected.” 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. The 2026 funding allocation reflects a 185% increase for Laois Sports Partnership compared with Core Grant funding in 2018.  

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD; Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD; together with Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue TD today launched the National Physical Activity Framework 2024–2040. The framework sets out Ireland’s ambitious vision to become the most physically active population in Europe by 2040 by creating enabling environments. The framework’s objectives will be driven by three action plans, the first of which is being published today. In line with international best practice, the plan sets out actions for improvement across eight areas: Whole of School Programmes, Active Travel, Active Urban Design, Healthcare, Public Education including Mass Media, Sport and Recreation for All, Workplaces and Community-Wide Programmes. Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “Since the launch of Ireland’s first Physical Activity Plan in 2016 we have made huge progress across a range of sectors in supporting people to live more physically active lives. Now, with our new Framework and Action Plan, we are aiming higher. “The new strategy will enhance national efforts to promote regular movement for people of all ages. It recognises that we all have a shared responsibility across sectors to create environments and communities that support people to engage in regular physical activity, I thank my colleagues for their ongoing support and look forward to continuing our work together under the Healthy Ireland framework.” Minister O’Donovan said: “The new Framework sets out an ambitious goal of Ireland becoming the most physically active population in Europe by 2040, a place where everybody has the opportunity to live, enjoy and reap the benefits associated with implementing physical activity throughout their daily lives.” Physical inactivity is a major public health challenge, identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the fourth leading cause of mortality globally—on a par with smoking. It contributes to increased risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and certain cancers. The Framework and associated Action Plan have been developed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. The development process involved extensive engagement with multiple Government Departments, as well as NGOs, researchers, and stakeholders from a variety of sectors. Minister Murnane O’Connor said: “Physical activity provides a range of benefits to our physical and mental health in both the short and long term. By supporting more people to be physically active, we are not just improving quality of life for the individual, but also improving overall population health. “My priority as Minister with responsibility for Health and Wellbeing is to deliver the vision of Healthy Ireland and to support people to be healthy at all stages of life. “To do this, we must continue to work together across sectors, to build on our successes to date and to shape and develop communities where physical activity can be enjoyed by all. I look forward to continued collaboration with my colleagues to make this vision a reality.” Minister McConalogue said: “Sport and physical activity play a vital role in improving overall health, and regular exercise and engagement in sport is crucial to staying physically and mentally fit. Sporting activities help tackle weight and obesity issues and play an important role in preventing or reducing the impact of many other health-related conditions.” Ireland’s performance to date has been encouraging. Eurobarometer data from 2022 shows that 14% of Irish adults engage in physical activity at least five times a week—well ahead of the European average of 6%. Work on activating the Action Plan has commenced, including the formation of a Strategic Communications Group to align messaging and outreach efforts across physical activity programmes. Visit National Physical Activity Plan to learn more. National Physical Activity Framework 2024 – 2040 National Physical Activity Action Plan 2024 – 2029