Irish Sports Matters Ltd t/a the Federation of Irish Sport

Lobbying Organisation Irish Sports Matters Ltd t/a the Federation of Irish Sport

Date published 18 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Sports and Recreation

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details Pre Budget Submission for Budget 2026

Intended results 10% compound interest increase in core funding to National Governing Bodies of sport (NGB) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) over the next 3 years -2026 to 2028 Request for Government commitment to research and publish a report on an additonal 1% betting levy for sport.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Mary O Connor

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (2-5)

Meetings to discuss the needs of sports sector ahead of budget 2026 and outline the requirement for an increase in core funding.

Submission (1)

2026 Federation of Irish Sport Pre - Budget Submission and letter submitted.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Charlie McConalogue Minister of State (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Ciaran O'Donnell Special Adviser (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Ciaran Shanley Head of Unit (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Patrick O’Donovan Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Evanne Ní Chuilinn Senator (Seanad)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister (Department of Health)

Cian Ó Lionáin Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)