December 21st, 2020: Motorsport Ireland will receive €465,000 as part of the Sport Ireland COVID-19 Supplementary Scheme, with €210,000 allocated under scheme 2 for National Governing Body (NGB) support and the remaining €255,000 to support our affiliated Clubs directly under scheme 3. 

The announcement was made by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, and Minister of State for Sport & the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers TD, today with Motorsport Ireland receiving a share of €5,804,828 funding divided amongst 32 NGBs. 

The Allocation Breakdown of Motorsport Ireland’s €465,000 in funding will be as follows:
• 2020 loss on Licence Revenue: €110,000
• Insurance Support: €100,000
• Club Losses & Support: €255,000

Quotes:

John Naylor, President of Motorsport Ireland: “Motorsport Ireland welcomes Sport Ireland funding of €465,000 in respect of the COVID-19 Grant Scheme. The scheme 2 NGB support funding will enable Motorsport Ireland to recover revenue losses experienced due to lack of competition, while also helping to support our significant insurance costs. It is anticipated that scheme 3 club support funding will be made available to affiliated clubs during the first quarter of 2021 to assist them for losses associated with the pandemic in 2020. Application forms and instruction on how to claim funds will be issued to each club in January. We take this opportunity to thank John Treacy and Shane Califf in Sport Ireland; Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD; and Minister of State for Sport & the Gaeltacht, Jack Chambers for this support.”

Minister Martin: “The Government recognises the ongoing struggle experienced by the sports sector and the ongoing uncertainty faced by National Governing Bodies and clubs as we move in to 2021. In November we announced an unprecedented €85 million in funding to support the sector and today’s announcement will further bolster attempts to protect the sector and provide some financial stability. The sports sector, and all of the people working and participating in sport, has shown its ability to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity and find innovative ways to be active and engaged. We must continue this work and look forward to a time when we can all return to spectating and participating in sport together”.

Minister Chambers: “Throughout the difficult months of 2020, the sports sector has shown its resilience and ability to adapt. National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships have continued to keep their clubs and communities as active as possible and we have seen record numbers of people out walking and enjoying the many benefits of physical exercise. We recognise that the public health restrictions have had a severe impact on Irish sport, with many sports yet to make a meaningful return since the onset of the pandemic. I have launched a consultation with the sport sector to develop a pathway for a broad return to sporting activity in the New Year. I would encourage all the sporting bodies to engage with Sport Ireland in this process over the coming weeks.”

Chairman of Sport Ireland, Kieran Mulvey: “Sport Ireland has been in ongoing consultation with the National Governing Bodies and has noted concerns about loses some expect to incur in early 2021. The funding announced today will address many of these concerns and allow these organisations start the New Year in a stronger financial position. I would like to thank Ministers Martin and Chambers, and the staff at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their continued support in ensuring the sports sector survives a difficult year and can return to providing opportunities for the population to enjoy and participate in sport again”.