Raising the betting tax to fund sports and culture initiatives would break down barriers to participation in our most vulnerable communities, according to Social Democrats Dublin Central byelection candidate Councillor Daniel Ennis, and the party’s children’s spokesperson, Aidan Farrelly TD.
Speaking at the launch of the party’s sports and culture policy, Councillor Ennis said:
“Sport is one of the most powerful tools we have in terms of intervention, integration and bettering yourself. It’s about time it receives adequate funding.
“In Dublin’s North Inner City, sport builds friendships and resilience, brings together communities, and in some cases even saves lives.
“It’s past time we break down the barriers to sports and culture initiatives, especially in areas marred by poverty and disadvantage.”
Deputy Farrelly said:
“Participation in sport and physical activity can assist the achievement of both health and social goals.
“Maximising participation levels in sport and recreation is key not only for keeping people active, but also in the fight against obesity, the sustaining of communities, the integration of people from diverse backgrounds, and the promotion of mental well-being.
“For too long, the arts have suffered chronic underinvestment – we have among the lowest levels of arts funding as a percentage of national income in Europe. Capital investment in arts and culture, while important, must be carefully balanced with current investment in the work of arts practitioners.
“By raising the betting tax from 2 per cent to 5 per cent that will unlock the potential to raise in excess of €165 million per year to fund a programme of capital grants in sports clubs in disadvantaged areas and create a €150 Sports and Cultural Activity voucher for all children.
“This will ensure that no child is prevented from taking part in a sport and or cultural activity due to the burden of prohibitive costs.”
May 11th, 2026