Under the Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative, a €1 million funding allocation has been announced for the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

The funds will be allocated to improve the accessibility of community walking tracks on sports clubs' grounds. Each the IRFU and FAI will receive €500,000, following the €1.6 million awarded to the GAA in 2022 and 2023, which supported walking track grants for 106 clubs nationwide.

The initiative supports the upgrade of existing walking track facilities to make them more accessible to people with mobility issues, such as older people and wheelchair users. Funding may also cover upgrading or the installation of lighting designed to prolong the hours of usage particularly during the dark winter evenings. Grants will be awarded to clubs in each organisation following a competitive application process.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke commented: "The expansion of the Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative is a wonderful opportunity to support increased engagement in physical activity. The €1 million we’re announcing today builds on a very successful partnership with the GAA through which we supported the upgrade of walking tracks all over the country.

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"Partnership underpins all our work in Healthy Ireland and is key to improving the health of the entire population. The IRFU and the FAI recognise the huge impact that clubs can have on their communities, by fostering inclusivity and connectedness and offering safe, accessible places for people of all abilities to take part in physical activity.

"This €1 million fund will support both organisations to increase accessibility of walking tracks in rugby and soccer clubs around Ireland, improving facilities that will positively impact on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people in their communities."

Chief Executive of the IRFU, Kevin Potts said: "Part of our vision for rugby in Ireland is to connect people and communities through rugby and to ensure that rugby clubs are positive, welcoming, and inclusive environments for people of all ages and abilities. The IRFU is enormously grateful to the Department of Health and Healthy Ireland for this grant, which will enable us to upgrade more walking tracks at club facilities across the country. These changes will result in more accessible and safer environments, and we look forward to welcoming new members from all communities once complete."

Interim CEO of the FAI, David Courell stated: "The Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks initiative is a significant step in our mission to enhance community health and wellbeing through football. By providing funding for grassroots Club Mark Clubs to improve their facilities, we are giving our clubs the opportunity to maximise the benefits they can deliver for their local communities by making other forms of exercise more accessible. We are grateful to Minister Burke and the Department of Health for their vital support and collaboration - this initiative will bring lasting benefits to communities nationwide."