Tax relief for sports memberships
Deputy Cleere asked for tax relief on family memberships of sporting organisations to help children stay involved in sport. The Taoiseach said he would consider taxation measures in the budget, but noted that a blanket relief for all sports clubs would be novel and complicated.
I want to raise a very practical measure that could support families and community sports. Will the Government consider introducing targeted tax relief for households and families on their memberships of sporting organisations? Many families in my constituency are under serious financial pressure to give their children the opportunity to be members and join multiple sporting organisations, whether it be soccer, hurling, camogie, athletics or swimming. The list goes on and on. If they want to play additional support such tennis, golf, basketball, volleyball or cricket, there are additional specific membership costs for all of these. Providing a modest tax relief for membership of sporting organisations would help put money back in the pockets of individuals and families. Importantly, this measure would not only support families, but it would also strengthen local clubs by boosting participation and membership. It is a simple targeted initiative that would promote health, community engagement and well-being, and the sustainability of grassroots sports. It is an idea worth serious consideration in the context of budget 2027. I am looking for the Taoiseach's support on it.
Comment on this
Yes, all sporting organisations.
Comment on this
I recall that about two years ago we looked seriously at tax relief for gym membership. As part of the budget preparations, I will discuss what suite of taxation measures we will adopt to try to alleviate pressures on people.
There had also been tax relief in respect of philanthropic donations to clubs and so on, but that all sporting organisations would be covered by a tax relief is a new one. Some charge low enough fees; some charge high fees. I do accept that in the current climate, with fuel costs and everything else, there are a lot of pressures on people, and inflation is at elevated levels because of what happened following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. It had been coming down before that war. We will examine this in the context of the budget.