The Northern Ireland Sport Forum has welcomed an announcement from the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Carál Ní Chuilín, which has reinstated £320,000 of funding to Sport NI. The announcement, which also included the reinstatement of £620,00 to the Arts Council is a positive for two industries that have faced difficult cuts in recent years.
NI Sport Forum Chairperson, Roy Millar said,
“We welcome the Minister’s announcement and are pleased that this funding, which was lost due to in year cuts, has been reinstated. The announcement of the ‘Fresh Start’ Stormont Agreement yesterday is positive for NI and it is a positive that the Finance Minister Arlene Foster recognised this during her budget announcement.
“This funding will allow Sport NI to continue supporting sports clubs and governing bodies in Northern Ireland as they continue to develop our sport and recreation sector. Sport plays such a central role in many young people’s lives, contributing to their general well-being while providing a platform to nurture their talent. We are pleased that this will be allowed to continue”.