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English（https://www.sportireland.ie/ethics/news/disability-sports-forum-hears-how-disability-in-sport-fund-is-changing-systems-to）
Gaeilge（https://www.sportireland.ie/ga/node/10952）
Disability Sports Forum hears how Disability in Sport Fund is changing systems to achieve disability inclusion
30 Sep 2026
Jennifer Bonham
National
Today the first ever Sport Ireland Disability Sports Forum heard how the Disability in Sport Fund is changing systems to achieve disability inclusion and increase disability involvement in sports across Ireland.
Since 2025, with Government direction and support through the Disability in Sport Fund, Sport Ireland has demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity for all in Irish sport, through various measures including the appointment of a Director of Disability Sport.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said: “Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in sport, yet people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers to participation. Strong policy is essential to addressing those barriers and ensuring that inclusion is embedded across our sporting system.
"As a Government we are committed to developing and supporting policies that make sport more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people with disabilities, so that everyone can enjoy the many benefits that sport and physical activity bring to our health and wellbeing.”
Disability in Sport funding has been allocated to transformation projects within National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and through the appointment of Sports Inclusion Disability Officers within Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs).
Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue said: “Government funding has a vital role to play in making sport more accessible and ensuring that people with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to participate. We are committed to investing in programmes and organisations that break down barriers and support inclusion across sport. The Disability in Sport fund, underpinned by our policy commitments, will help build a sporting system where everyone can experience the benefits of being active and involved in sport.”
In recent years, Sport Ireland has placed a particular strategic focus on the disability sport specific organisations: Special Olympics Ireland, Vision Sports Ireland, Deaf Sport Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association, Paralympics Ireland, Active Disability Ireland.
John Foley, Chairperson of Sport Ireland, said: “Inclusion through sport means turning commitment into practical opportunities. That means accessible programmes and facilities for organisations and coaches and ways for people to take part at every level. For people with disabilities, that work is central.