Record €546k core funding awarded to Waterford Sports Partnership

Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD has welcomed the announcement of a record allocation of €546,985 core funding to Waterford Sports Partnership.

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 nationwide. For Waterford Sports Partnership, investment has increased by 9.4%.

A record investment of €33.36 million in core funding support was announced today to sporting organisations, through Sport Ireland, for 2026. €19.5 million is being invested in 57 National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) this year, an increase of €1.2 million on the 2025 figure. 

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Cummins said: “I’m delighted to see a record level of core funding awarded to Waterford Sports Partnership, and I want to commend my colleague MinisterPatrick O’Donovan TD whom I have worked closely with in recent months. This investment will enable staff to deliver programmes through sustained funding initiatives, promotional activities, and community and club development. €3.6m has been allocated to Waterford Sports Partnership since 2018, and this funding will help to maximise the impact of their resources, foster partnerships, and enhance capacity through targeted investment in local sport and physical activity.”

€533,985 will be allocated toward core and programme funding while a further €13,000 will support the implementation of Women in Sport initiatives. The enhanced Women in Sport funding allocation for 2026 will enable LSPs to expand and strengthen targeted initiatives for women and girls across all life stages, with a particular focus on those from disadvantaged communities, ethnic minority backgrounds, teenage girls, older age groups, and women with disabilities.

Speaking at the funding announcement at the Sport Ireland Campus today, Minister 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. We are continuing to scale investment in participation programmes, particularly those supporting women and girls, reinforcing our commitment to further narrowing the gender participation gap in sport, and in time, to eliminate it completely. This increased funding provides the stability and support required to sustainably grow participation, and position Ireland as a leader in inclusive, high-quality sport for all”.