Latest news
Irish elite sport funding package announced
Ireland's high performance athletes will receive a share of €8.35m (£7.3m) after the Irish Sport Council (ISC) unveiled "ambitious plans" for each sport over the coming year.
Irish sports minister Martin Cullen announced details of the investment plans at an ISC event in Dublin, which comes a week after the funding agency revealed the grant allocations to the country's national governing bodies (NGBs) for sport. Nearly €5.3m (£4.6m) will be invested in Performance Plans - devised by performance directors for each sport providing specific elite campaigns to cover training, competition requirements and sports science and medical support.
A further €450,000 (£391,962) has been ring-fenced for sports science and medical support delivery, while a total of €2.65m (£2.3m) will support 111 athletes under the International Carding Scheme. Cullen said: "This is a substantial package of financial support and a powerful statement of the government's commitment to investment in sport. It is recognition of another very successful year for Irish high performance sport in 2009 and an acknowledgement of the potential of sport to make a real difference to the country as we prepare for forthcoming European Championships and World and Olympic Games."
Meanwhile, the ISC has allocated nearly €12m (£10.4m) to the country's 59 NGBs to help finance administration, participation schemes, coach training and the implementation of strategic plans. Grants totalling €1.375m (£1.2m) were also awarded to 27 sports as part of the 2010 Women in Sport programme, which aims to increase the number of women participating in sport across the country.
ISC chief executive John Treacy said: "We are committed to supporting the governing bodies of sport. They operate to a very high standard and provide outstanding service to the entire community."