Budget 2025 should help families with the cost of sport, arts and culture – Clendennen

Cutting the cost of extra-curricular activities for families should be a priority in Budget 2025, a Fine Gael General Election candidate has said.

Councillor John Clendennen, who is running for Fine Gael in the General Election in the new Offaly constituency, said there is a clear need from families for the budget to help with the increasing cost of sports, arts and culture activities.

Speaking ahead of Fine Gael’s Think-In meeting in Tullamore this week, Cllr Clendennan said, “This has been a fantastic summer of sport, music and culture. Irish people love sport and culture, but we know it can add huge costs to burdened families.

“Our young people have been so inspired by our Olympians and Paralympians this year, and it’s fantastic to see so many interested in getting involved in sport. But these after school activities can be really expensive for families.

“Whether it be training gear, music classes, summer camps, it all adds up and can really stress families out.

“We need to seriously look at introducing measures to help parents with the cost of these activities.

“We want families to feel the benefit of our strong economy, and this would be a great means of letting young people explore new hobbies without adding to the financial pressure on parents.

“Fine Gael wants to help families with this burden. It’s good for children, good for families and good for the next generation of sports, musicians, poets and artists. It can be good for this country.

“Government and Fine Gael should look at all options for Budget 2025 including a tax credit or any other supports that would help families”, concluded Cllr Clendennen.