Tipperary TDs Michael Lowry and Mattie McGrath are offering strong support to a Labour Motion in the Dáil calling for extra State investment in soccer in Ireland. Both TDs highlighted the excellent work done by soccer clubs at a local level in the county with Deputy McGrath describing St Michael’s in Tipperary town as “world renowned.”
Deputy Michael Lowry says that funding for all forms of sport is a gift that will keep on giving, most especially for the nation’s young people. The FAI have published plans that require almost €900Mr over a 15 year period to upgrade facilities and expand the sport in Ireland.
Deputy Lowry took issue with the fact that the FAI has sought to have funding diverted from the Racing Industry. At present all funds raised by a tax on betting are ring-fenced for re-distribution to the racing and greyhound industry annually. Deputy Lowry says this support has enabled the horse racing sector to grow to be worth €2.5billion to the Irish economy supporting over 30,000 jobs.
Since the Horse and Greyhound Fund was established in 2021 a total of €1.64B has been allocated to the horse and greyhound racing industries with the 2023 allocation totalling €91M.
