- Over 100 attendees representing senior leadership in sport from National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships, Sport Ireland and FIS Commercial Partners and suppliers attend forum.
- Update on changes from 1 January 2025 to sporting bodies tax exemption and relief for donations to sporting bodies and the opportunities it offers in the new in Finance Act 2024 for recognised NGBs who have s 235 exemption.
- 8 Thematic areas of new Sports Action Plan highlighted.
- Participation – 1.89million participating regularly in sport and physical activity in Ireland.
The Federation of Irish Sport hosted their Annual Leaders Forum for 2025 under the title of Informing & Empowering Leaders & Decision Makers in Sport yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown. This flagship event brought together influential voices in Irish sport, government, and finance to discuss key updates, insights, and strategies shaping the future of sport in Ireland.
The forum provided an invaluable opportunity for leaders and stakeholders in Irish sport to connect, engage, and learn about measures to grow financial stability through reforms to tax exemptions, charitable donations and loan financing.
Speaking on behalf of Revenue Liam Smith of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners gave a detailed presentation on the provisions in the Finance Act relevant to the sporting sector. This included explanations on eligibility of sporting organisations, qualifying projects, relevant donations, tax relief for companies’ vs individuals’ donations and governance requirements.
Principal Officer from the Department of Sport Micheál Ó Conaire highlighted the participation figures of 1.89 million participating regularly in sport and physical activity in Ireland. He also gave details under the 8 Thematic Areas for action plan 2024 – 2027 namely: Investment in Sport 2025 budget for Sports & Recreation Services is €230m (NSP doubling of funding target hit ahead of schedule, €256 million CSFF, €173m LSSIF), Active and Social Participation, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Facilities and Events, Sport and Education, Sport and Sustainability, Governance and Capacity Building and International.
The agenda also featured insightful contributions from partners of the Federation such as: ‘Ogier: Equality and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’, 2into3, with Dennis O’Connor and Orla Dolan on transformative approaches in the sector in relation to philanthropy and talent management, concluding with Clann Credo Community Finance, and Regional Manager Tony Marshall highlighting innovative financial solutions for community-based sports organisations.
Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, said: “The Annual Leaders Forum is a vital moment for Ireland’s sporting community to come together, share ideas, and forge stronger collaborations. We are thrilled to have such a strong representation from our members here today to ensure they are informed on important matters that are relevant to them now and in the future. As we enter 2025, it is more important than ever to focus on financial, equality, and sustainable growth in sport.”
Office of the Revenue Commissioner key points:
- Changes from 1 January 2025 to sporting bodies tax exemption and relief for donations to sporting bodies and the opportunities it offers in the new in Finance Act 2024 for recognised NGBs who have s 235 exemption
- Main sporting bodies tax exemption (section 235 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 – TCA)
- New exemption for certain national governing bodies (s 235A TCA)
- Relief for donations to sporting bodies (s 847A TCA)
- Changes to s 847A TCA from 1 January 2025
- New relief for donations to national governing bodies for certain projects (s 847AA TCA)