League of Ireland academies will receive €3m in funding from the government in a new measure announced in Budget 2026.
The funding falls short of the €4.45m requested by the FAI in their pre-budget submission but represents a big boost to the sport.
The administration of the multi-annual funding will come through Sport Ireland rather than the FAI.
Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport Charlie McConalogue said the allocation represents "a very, very big step forward and I think it's a really exciting day for football in Ireland."
He continued: "I think it's a big vote of confidence as well by the government in the future of football in Ireland.
"We've been engaging very closely with the FAI over the last period of time. Indeed, in last year's budget there was just under €1m secured and coming out of that there was an audit carried out in relation to the current status of academies across the country.
"To identify what's currently in place and also to identify what the challenge is and also to put in place a plan in relation to how we can work to meet that.
"This is a very significant commitment now when you look at it and also significant in the context of the sports budget. If you look at the total increase today, for example, to Sport Ireland, it's just over €10.5m. And out of that €10.5m, €3m is going to soccer academies. The government is making a choice to back academy football, to back youth football, to back the future of Irish football."
The FAI welcomed what it called "vital muti-annual investment" which can help to fund a "modern, professional academy system" in the country.
"It will create full-time academy roles across League of Ireland clubs, providing the high-performance environments our most talented boys and girls need to thrive," the association said in a statement.
"This progress builds on the dedication of volunteers who have driven the academies' success and supported the recent resurgence of the League of Ireland."
The full amount requested was intended for each club to operate 26 underage academies (male and female) and hire a minimum of three full-time staff each, with two staff more realistic under the €3m allocation.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the funding would be part of a €10.7m increase in funding for Sport Ireland, and represented the start of a multi-year commitment to fund grassroots football.
The minister added that, despite Ireland's proud history in the sport, youth development structures have not kept pace with other countries.
Rule changes following Brexit have also led to young players staying with Irish clubs for longer.
"This presents us with a responsibility – but also an enormous opportunity – to nurture our brightest young talents here at home and provide them with the best environment to fulfil their potential," he said.
"The investment I am announcing here today is the start of a multi-annual commitment from this Government to focus on grassroots and build a new era for football in our country."
And while today's news is welcomed, the senior minister in the department, Patrick O'Donovan, in a warning to the FAI, added that the organisation could have its funding cut if it does not engage with the Oireachtas Committee on Sport. This follows on from the initial decision by the association not to attend a Joint Oireachtas Committee hearing on Kildare Street a fortnight ago because of safeguarding issues. They subsequently did attend.
"We have an agreement between the FAI, the government and Sport Ireland," said the minister.
"It's very clear the objectives that are laid out in it. One of the things that is just not negotiable is not engaging with the people's representatives in the Oireachtas.
"I don't care what the organisation is that is receiving funding from our department, whether it's under the areas of arts, culture, media, communications and sport. If you're receiving public funds, you must engage with the relevant Oireachtas committee.
"And if you don't, you are on a collision course with me and you're on a trajectory to having your funding crushed."
A recent independent audit, funded by Government, found that youth football facilities in Ireland lagged well behind those in other countries ranked 51-100 by world governing body FIFA. The Republic of Ireland men's team are currently ranked 61st and have not qualified for an international tournament since Euro 2016.
Only 4% of clubs here have a full-time head of coaching, as against 46% in equivalent-ranked associations, while no LOI clubs have a minimum of four full-time academy coaches, compared to 36% in the aforementioned FIFA-ranked countries.
Mark Scanlon (above), League of Ireland Director, said: "Today is a landmark day for the League of Ireland and our clubs. We thank the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for recognising the importance of this investment to Irish football.
"It is a fitting reward for the volunteers and staff who have driven the game forward and I'd like to also express our gratitude to them, the clubs and our National League Committee, in particular Dermot Ahern and Michael Ring for their support. Guided by the recent Double Pass Audit, we will use this support to professionalise coaching, create full-time roles, and build a sustainable future for our clubs and the game."
Overall the Government is to give €1.5 billion in funding to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
An additional €1.6m will go towards inter-county Gaelic games players, he said, as well as funding to the IRFU to fund high performance pathways for women in rugby.
The GAA are to receive an additional €983,000, the IRFU €727,000, while there will be an extra €1.5m made available to the GPA.
High performance funding is to increase by €1.5m, while the biggest boost comes in the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund - an €18.7m increase will be made available for world-class facilities, under a new round of the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The Gaelic Players Association welcomed the increase in grants for inter-county players, which rose by 28%. It brings the total player fund to €7.2 million and means the average grant per player will increase to €1,800.
They said it "marks a strong result for players and for our campaign reflecting the credibility of the GPA’s case and the growing recognition of the enormous contribution inter-county players make to the Irish economy and society".
They will engage directly with players, Sport Ireland and other bodies to discuss how this funding will be structured on a per-player basis.
