Sport has benefitted from an additional €2 million Government investment as part of the Supplementary Estimate 2014 for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
The Estimate provides for funding in a number of areas that will primarily support elite athletes at home and as they travel abroad to compete on the world stage, but will also be of benefit in terms of participation numbers.
The new expenditure is divided into three key areas.
€1 million has been set aside for equipment to be pitched for and distributed through for National Governing Bodies of Sport.
Another €1 million has been set aside towards the preparation programmes for high performance athletes for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
This has been divided already between 17 sports and ranges from €188,000 for Paralympics Ireland which plans to bring it’s entire panel for an acclimatisation trip in 2015, down to €7,419 for shooting.
All of the sports in receipt of money hope to have competitors qualify to take part in the Rio games though Hockey and Tennis did not have competitors in London 2012. Rugby is a first time event. Canoeing which had three competitors and two who finished in the Top 10 of their events has not been included in the list of sports to be granted additional money.
2015 Olympic grants with number of London 2012 competitors in brackets after
- Paralympics €188,154 (49 athletes, six medals)
- Athletics €138,000 (23 athletes, 5 Top 20)
- Rowing €96,914 (1 Athlete, 1 Top 20)
- Olympic Council €72,000
- Irish Hockey €71,325
- Sailing €70,000 (8 Athletes, 2 Top 10)
- Rugby €62,100
- Cycling €61,500 (4 Athletes, 1 Top 20)
- Modern Pentathlon €47,740 (2 Athletes, 1 Top 10)
- Boxing €45,060 (6 Athletes, 4 Medals)
- Tennis €41,750
- Triathlon €35,500 (2 Athletes)
- Swimming €30,765 (4 Athletes)
- Horsesport Ireland €29,215 (13 Athletes, 4 Top 20, 1 Medal)
- Badminton €25,500 (2 Athletes)
- Gymnastics €20,000 (1 Athlete)
- Judo €8,300 (1 Athlete)
- Shooting €7,419 (1 Athlete)
The third element is €80,000 towards the development of a new headquarters for Special Olympics Ireland within the National Sports Campus complex.
Speaking after the announcement Minister for Sport Michael Ring was keen to stress the important ongoing support for sport at the highest levels within Government.
“The Department has been working closely with the Irish Sports Council to finalise a list of NGB’s who can avail of funding this year,” said Minister for Sport Michael Ring.
“While details are still being finalised, it is envisaged that this funding will support both elite performance and participation – two key elements of our approach to investment in sport in Ireland.”
“I am pleased that we have secured an extra €1 million in 2014 for this equipment and know the NGBs involved will put the money to very good use.”
“Provision is also being made for additional funds to assist our athletes who are preparing for the Olympics in Rio in 2016.”
“One million euro in funding, which will be used for preparation programmes for high performance athletes, will support our Olympian hopefuls in their endeavours as they strive for personal bests and for the honour of representing their country at the highest level.”
“As part of stimulus funding announced by Government, €80,000 will go towards the development of a headquarters for the Special Olympics within the National Sports Campus complex.”
“These projects are in addition to other stimulus projects announced last year which included the National Indoor Arena and a new round of Sports Capital funding, all of which are progressing well.”
“It is important that as the economy recovers and additional funding may become available that we facilitate the promotion of sport at every level.”
“The social, mental and physical benefits associated with sports mean that we must do all we can to encourage participation at local level and do all we can to back our athletes as they progress.”
“These measures further demonstrate this Government’s continued commitment to sport in Ireland and recognise the important role that sport plays within our communities.”
