John O’ Mahony, TD Introduction Federation of Irish Sport Briefing September 25 th , 2013
IF JOBS ARE A PRIORITY THEN INVEST IN SPORT Briefing on Behalf of Irish Sport – September 25 th , 2013
Who we are? Established in 2002: • Representative body for Ireland’s National Sporting Organisations : - an independent voice for Irish Sport - promoting the socio-economic value of sport to Ireland - representation & services to members • 102 members – 72 National Governing Bodies & 30 Local Sports Partnerships: GAA, IRFU, FAI, Athletics Ireland, Cricket Ireland, Irish Ice Skating, Mountaineering Ireland….. • Since 2009 have run “Why Sport Matters Campaign” funded by sport itself designed to highlight the wide evidence based contribution of sport to Ireland in terms of the economy, health, tourism, community life and Ireland’s reputation both home and abroad
Sport: Making a significant & varied dividend to Ireland • Economy: Supports 40,532 jobs (Arts – 21,000 jobs) & contributes € 2.4 billion to Ireland’s GDP • Health: Cost of physical inactivity is estimated at € 1.68 billion each year – equal to approximately 11% of 2013 health spend • Tourism: €850 million per year from “sports” tourism – major contributor to Gathering with 19% of all events held being sports related • Community: Biggest single driver of active citizenship & community engagement – combating anti-social behaviour, promoting social inclusion & more people volunteer in sport than any other activity • Creates a real return: € 149 on every € 100 invested
Government Involvement with Sport “In future sports funding should prioritise projects which further greater participation in sport on a local and national level.” Programme for Government 2011 - 2016
Government Investment 2004 – 2013 250 9% decrease over 200 the life of the Government 150 100 Irish Sports Council 50 Other Government Expenditure on Sport 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Sport doesn’t JUST happen.... ....it has to be planned, managed, delivered & financed. Existing funding sources for Irish Sport: • Government Investment • Member Affiliations • Training & Education • Sponsorship • Ticketing • Broadcasting Revenue • VOLUNTEERISM
But Sport Funding is under REAL PRESSURE • Scarcity of Sponsorship • Lack of Charitable Status/Phlianthropic Support for Sport • Cost of Delivering Sport – Labour Intensive • Pressure on volunteers – increased regulation • Rates – Aviva Stadium increase from € 0.4 million to € 2.6 million, Croke Park increase from € 0.5 million to € 2.1 million • Subject to vagaries of international environment
€ 1 more per citizen to create a jobs fund Use Sport to Create Jobs: € 1 more per citizen = € 4.58 million could: • Create 150 indigenous & sustainable jobs with supporting programme funding to get more people active more often • Cost of € 25,000 per job compared to € 167,000 per job in “Infrastructure Stimulus” announced in July 2013 • “Real Investment” - € 3 million approximately when PAYE, PRSI, USC & VAT taken into account
WHY? Evidence to show sport creates jobs & grows economy • Sports adds as much value to European economy as agriculture, fisheries & forestry combined • Growth area – 27% increase in people working as professional athletes/sports officials since 2006 – 5,722 in total compared to the 6,093 as writers, authors & journalists • € 1 of every € 60 in the EU is generated or earned is sports related • Youth employment – 21% of employed 16 – 21 year olds employed in sport & leisure • 2,000 sport qualified graduates each year in Ireland
What Sport Can Do? – A proven track record • Schools Programmes • Late Night Leagues • Development Programmes – “Learn to Swim” – “Shuttle Time” – “Women at Altitude” – “Spike Ball” • Club & Volunteer Support • Indigineous Industry CREATE JOBS. IMPROVE HEALTH. GROW THE ECONOMY.
What YOU Can Do? : Make a real difference • No further cuts to ISC funding in upcoming budget • Support additional investment of € 1 more per citizen for jobs and programme fund • Become an Oireachtas “Friend of Sport” • Support the other Federation initiatives to maximise the potential of sport to deliver for Ireland • Keep sport on the political agenda
THANK YOU Sarah O’Connor Chief Executive E: sarah.oconnor@irishsport.ie M: 086 804 8446
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