Swim Ireland Welcomes Sport Ireland Performance Funding Announcement

Swim Ireland welcomes the high-performance funding announcement from the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, and Sport Ireland.

This funding announcement will help support Swim Ireland’s performance system as it continues building towards Los Angeles 2028.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said: “Last year was a record-breaking one for Irish athletes, with a total of 127 major medals won. These results were achieved across a great number of sports and backed up by significant Government investment. Once again, we are happy to support Irish athletes by investing more funds than ever before. 

“This year is a pivotal mid-way point in the LA Cycle and the delivery of the High Performance Strategy 2021-2032. Irish athletes are continuing to win medals on the world stage, and I am confident that this continued financial support will lead to further achievement at the highest levels.”

The 2026 investment of €28.5m in high performance sport is an increase on the €27m invested in 2025, and the highest-ever annual investment in high performance sport. Over €55m will be invested by the mid-way point of the Olympic/Paralympic cycle.

Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport & Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue said: “Public investment in High Performance Sport gives our athletes the best possible chance of performing strongly at the highest level, which is why we are investing €28.5m through Sport Ireland over 2026.

“The significant increase in High Performance Sport funding over many years demonstrates the government’s continued commitment, in collaboration with Sport Ireland, to support our athletes as they continue to strive for success.” 

Funding to athletes in 2026 has increased by €600,000 from last year. In 2026, Sport Ireland will invest €4.75m in the International Carding scheme and Player Funding Scheme. This funding allocation will cover all elements of the Scheme, including 139 individually funded athletes, nine pool funding and relay allocations, the Athlete Career Transition Programme, Player Funding Scheme, and reserves.

Sport Ireland will reintroduce two-year Carding awards in 2027 and 2028, which means 2026 will be a key year for athletes to achieve criteria and secure this multi-annual funding award.

Swim Ireland’s CEO (Interim) Mary McMorrow attended the event alongside National Performance Director (Swimming & Diving), Andy Reid, and Performance Operations Manager, Niamh McDonnell.

Speaking about the funding investment from Sport Ireland, Reid said: “Sport Ireland’s continued investment in our Performance Programme reflects their strong belief in Swim Ireland, not just as an organisation, but in the capability and ambition of our performance team. Their support has been instrumental in building a system that delivered our most successful Olympics in 2024, and it reinforces a shared confidence in what we can achieve in future cycles.”

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