Sport needs support: Brogan

DUBLIN GAA star Bernard Brogan has added his voice to a call for more supports for Irish sport in the New Year.

The Federation of Irish Sport has urged the Government to make some New Year resolutions to benefit sporting bodies across the country.

The federation is asking for an extension to tax relief beyond capital projects to include day-to-day spending, as well as to allocate a portion of betting tax receipts for the development of all sports.

The calls were made as the federation, the representative association for National Governing Bodies of Sport, published its Sixth Annual Review of Irish Sport.

The report highlights the huge sporting contribution Ireland’s national governing bodies and local sports partnerships have made to Irish life during 2014.

The federation believes that the measures put forward, in addition to the development of a cross-Government National Sports Strategy, would significantly enhance the sustainability of sporting activities in Ireland and copper-fasten the contribution sport makes to community life, public health, the economy, and to Ireland’s reputation at home and abroad.

While welcoming recent Government commitments in relation to the funding of sport, Bernard Brogan, President of the Federation of Irish Sport and Dublin GAA star, urged a number of new funding initiatives that would future-proof its viability.

“It is clear that sustained Government investment in Irish sport is paying off with 47.2 per cent of Irish people now participating in sport, up from 30.8 per cent in 2008,

? he said.

“The increase in participation rates has been reflected in the success of Irish athletes on the international stage, across all sports at all levels, with Irish athletes having so far won a total of 241 medals between 2011 and 2014.

“However, while it is welcome that the level of funding for the Irish Sports Council has been maintained at

?¬42.5 million and an additional

?¬1 million has been allocated for preparations for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016, and we acknowledge the efforts of Ministers Donohoe and Ring in this regard, this is from a point where there has been a 27 per cent reduction in funding levels since 2008.

“It is clear that more can be done to sustain the sector in supporting people’s health and well-being, in enhancing our social fabric and in growing our economy. That is why the federation is calling on the Government to give serious consideration to affording tax relief to the day-to-day spending of all sporting bodies.

?

Sarah O’Connor, Chief Executive, Federation of Irish Sport, believes a masterplan for sport is critical for its future development.

“Irish sport supports 40,000 jobs in the economy, contributes 2.4 per cent to GD6 and stimulates

?¬1.9 billion in household spending and

?¬650 million in overseas tourism spending,

? she said.

“It is the single biggest contributor to active citizenship with almost 500,000 adults volunteering in sport each year, with the economic value of this voluntary workforce estimated at

?¬1.3 billion.

“Almost nine in 10 Irish people believe that sport has a positive impact on the country’s reputation.

“It also has a huge effect in combating the significant public health challenges posed by obesity.

?