IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL ISC Welcomes Increase in Funding to €49.025 in 2007 Estimates

For Immediate Release                                                           16th November 2006

Irish Sports Council Welcomes Allocation of Increased Funding in 2007 Estimates

The Irish Sports Council today (Nov 16th 2006) warmly welcomed a 20% increase in its funding allocation from Minister John O’Donoghue T.D. and the Government, to €49.025million in 2007.

The additional funding will enable the Council to complete the national roll out of the Local Sports Partnerships; vital to furthering the Council’s participation strategy, and enable the delivery of a world class support structure for our elite athletes through the work of the newly established Irish Institute of Sport.

“The Council sincerely appreciates this significant increase in support offered by this Government to our work for sport in this country. We consider that this continued support from our Government is an important vote of confidence in the work of the Council across its strategic pillars. On behalf of the Council, our stakeholders, and the wider sporting community I would like to thank Minister O’Donoghue and the Government for the unprecedented levels of investment in, and their continued commitment to, the long-term development of Irish sport” stated Irish Sports Council Chairperson Mr. Ossie Kilkenny.

The increased funding will also cater for the continuation of specific development programmes for camogie and hurling on a national basis, Gaelic Games in Dublin, and the expansion of Council’s Women in Sport Initiative.

Funding is also being directed towards the newly established national governing body; Horse Sport Ireland. The Council welcomes the establishment of this body which will take responsibility for promotion and development of Equestrian sport in Ireland. 

Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council; Mr. John Treacy welcomed the news by saying: “We are delighted with the news of the increased funding today, which will allow us to implement our objectives outlined in our strategy; ‘Building Sport for Life’. This additional funding will make possible the national roll-out of the network of Local Sports Partnerships, further our work in the area of National Governing Body Development, and allow the vital work of the newly established Irish Institute of Sport to be advanced.”

The Estimate for 2007 is a 20% increase on €40.9million for 2006. The Irish Sports Council was established in 1999, and had a budget of €13.4million in 2000; its first full year in operation.

Ends.

For Further Information:      

Sinéad McElroy, Irish Sports Council, 01-8608804 or 087-6338512 smcelroy@irishsportscouncil.ie