Sport and Recreational Development
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-03
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Emer Currie (FG), Dublin West

I am also biased about Dublin West football clubs. We have the best in the country. I welcome the €3 million allocated in budget 2026 for League of Ireland academies. This important investment gives clubs the resources to build modern and professional academy systems and create clear pathways for the next generation of Irish players, both boys and girls. It represents a significant opportunity. More young players can now remain in the domestic system, developing and gaining experience at home. As the League of Ireland grows in profile, the conditions are in place to nurture talent in a way that we have not seen for decades. If we build on this momentum over the lifetime of the Government, we can match the pride and dedication of our supporters, including those who travel nationwide for their clubs and follow the national teams abroad, with sustained investment, planning and proper structures. By doing so, we can ensure Irish football reflects the ambition, passion and commitment that supporters already bring to the game.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-03/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-03