Over €5m in Dormant Accounts Funding for sporting bodies

The areas of focus for Dormant Account Funding 2025 include disability supports, NGB equality, diversity & inclusion, and volunteer supports.

More than €5m in Dormant Accounts Funding is to be awarded to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Sport Ireland are pleased to announce.

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, and the Minister for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, have welcomed the investment of €5.16m, which will support a wide array of exceptional projects across the country.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, said: “This Dormant Accounts Fund allocation will allow our sporting bodies to sustain the important work they do in communities throughout Ireland, supporting inclusion for those experiencing disadvantage or living with disabilities, while also helping to boost participation in sport and physical activity.

This funding reinforces the important principle that sport and physical activity are fundamental rights and should be open to everyone, everywhere. This funding will help empower NGBs to do more to reach those who are economically or socially disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged or people with a disability.”

The Dormant Accounts Funding allows unclaimed funds from accounts in credit institutions in Ireland to be utilised for projects focused on overcoming the barriers and challenges to participation in sport for those who are economically or educationally disadvantaged, or those affected by a disability.

Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, said: “While sport is a powerful driver of social inclusion, there remains important work to do to ensure people facing socio-economic barriers or living with disabilities are fully supported.

As we plan for 2026, continued support for the vital work of our National Governing Bodies of Sport is imperative - particularly their efforts to make sports more inclusive and accessible for disadvantaged communities and people with a disability. This significant investment is focused on reducing inequalities and ensuring that people from every background have the opportunity to live active, healthy lives.”

The areas of focus for Dormant Account Funding 2025 include disability supports, NGB equality, diversity & inclusion, and volunteer supports.

There is a focus on disability sports funding under three schemes - Disability Capital Support, Disability Programmes, and Disability Training & Education Fund – to a total of €2m.