€30,000 funding approved to support the international motorsport career of Alex Dunne

FINE Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen, has welcomed confirmation that €30,000 in funding has been approved by Sport Ireland to support the international motorsport career of Alex Dunne.

The funding, which will be provided through Motorsport Ireland, follows sustained representations by Deputy Clendennen, including a meeting in Leinster House in July 2025 involving Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, Department officials and Noel Dunne, father to Alex.

In correspondence received last week, Minister O’Donovan confirmed that Sport Ireland had agreed to provide €30,000 in funding for 2026, recognising Alex’s achievements and his status as an emerging international motorsport talent.

Deputy Clendennen welcomed the funding offer but said it also highlighted the need for a more permanent and transparent funding pathway for Irish athletes competing internationally in sports that fall outside traditional Olympic and Paralympic funding structures.

“I am delighted that Alex’s generational talent and achievements on the international stage have been recognised through this funding commitment. Seeking support and funding for Alex is something I have been working on since December 2024,” Deputy Clendennen said.

“Alex is competing at an extraordinarily high level, representing Ireland on the international motorsport stage and demonstrating the ability of young Irish athletes to compete with the very best in the world.

“Having engaged directly with Minister O’Donovan, Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland on this issue, as well as other potential stakeholders, I welcome the positive outcome and particularly acknowledge the Minister’s continued engagement in seeking a resolution.

“However, while this funding is very welcome, it also raises a wider question about how we support talented Irish athletes whose chosen sports do not fall within the traditional Olympic and Paralympic funding structures.”

Minister O’Donovan confirmed that Motorsport Ireland had previously sought funding from Sport Ireland in 2025 to support Alex but that the application had been unsuccessful.

Following the July 2025 meeting, Sport Ireland was asked to engage further with Motorsport Ireland to examine whether Alex was being treated equitably and whether additional avenues of support could be identified.

The Minister’s correspondence confirms that Sport Ireland subsequently recognised Alex’s proven ability and podium achievements in Formula 2, notwithstanding the fact that the application fell outside its traditional athlete support arrangements.

Deputy Clendennen said the decision demonstrated that opportunities existed to recognise sporting excellence beyond established funding categories, but that athletes should not have to rely on individual representations to access support.

“The challenge now is to move beyond individual cases and establish a clear, consistent and sustainable pathway for athletes competing in all sports at an elite international level.

“These athletes face considerable costs associated with training, travel, equipment, competition and career progression. In many cases, financial backing can be a significant factor in determining whether a talented young competitor can continue progressing through the international ranks.”

Deputy Clendennen said he intends to pursue the issue further with Minister O’Donovan and Sport Ireland, including the possibility of developing a dedicated funding mechanism or clearly defined eligibility criteria for elite competitors in non-Olympic sports.

“This is not about taking resources away from our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, whose achievements and funding requirements must continue to be supported.

“It is about ensuring that our approach to sporting excellence is sufficiently broad to recognise the diversity of international competition and the talented Irish people participating in it.

“Alex Dunne’s achievements have already generated enormous interest and pride, particularly here in Offaly and the Midlands. His progress provides a powerful example of what determination, ability and the right opportunities can deliver.

“I hope this funding will make a meaningful contribution to his continued development, and I look forward to seeing him progress further in his motorsport career,” concluded Clendennen.