ISC grant allocations increased

ATHLETICS: Governing bodies across 53 sports yesterday got their share of €6.29 million issued by the Irish Sports Council. The grants go towards core administration and development, with additional high performance funding due to be announced after next month's Athens Olympic review.

The majority of the governing bodies received an increase on last year's figure, although certain allocations have to be reviewed over the coming weeks. The Athletics Association of Ireland, for example, is currently undergoing a process of change, which includes the appointment of a new chief executive - after which the final allocation will be announced.

The overall core grants for a total of 59 sports will eventually reach €6.73 million when six outstanding applications are finalised.

A major development surrounding the 2005 grants is the identification of 16 Focus Sports for high performance, which have been identified as having the potential to deliver success at elite international level. They will have a separate investment based on High Performance Plans, and their absence for yesterday's announcement accounts for the apparent drop in the headline grant figure.

The Irish Sports Council budget in 2005 has also risen to €34.4 million, up €13.4 million on 2000, its first full year of operation. Other major grant schemes to be announced later in the year include the comprehensive range of high performance grants and the participation supports to the GAA, FAI and IRFU.

2005 FOCUS SPORTS: Athletics Ireland; Badminton Union of Ireland; Cycling Ireland; Equestrian Federation of Ireland; Golfing Union of Ireland; Irish Amateur Boxing Association; Irish Amateur Rowing Union; Irish Amateur Fencing Federation; Irish Canoe Union; Irish Clay Pigeon Association; Irish Hockey Association; Irish Ladies Golfing Union; Irish Sailing Association; Irish Taekwondo Union; Swim Ireland; Tennis Ireland.

2005 ALLOCATIONS: Angling Council €30,000; Athletics Association of Ireland E340,547; Badminton Union of Ireland E272,628; Basketball Ireland E399,230; Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland E4,500; Bol Chumann na hÉireann€12,500; Bowling League of Ireland E27,813; Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland €40,057; Comhairle Liathróid Láimhe na hÉireann E104,707; Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael €105,065; Cumann Peile Gael na mBan To be confirmed Cycling Ireland E216,350; Equestrian Federation of Ireland E307,427; Golfing Union of Ireland €102,500; Horseshoe Pitchers Association of Ireland E3,413; Irish Amateur Archery Association €16,300; Irish Amateur Boxing Association €201,000; Irish Amateur Fencing Federation E26,000; Irish Amateur Rowing Union €139,150; Irish Amateur Weightlifting Association E9,750; Irish Amateur Wrestling Association €15,150; Irish American Football Association €2,900; Irish Blindsports To be confirmed Irish Canoe Union €198,050; Irish Clay Pigeon Shooting Association To be confirmed; Irish Cricket Union €151,229; Irish Deaf Sports Association €25,000; Irish Gymnastics Limited €109,335; Irish Hockey Association €169,135; Irish Judo Association €88,480; Irish Ladies Golf Union E44,833; Irish Martial Arts Commission To be confirmed; Irish Olympic Handball Association €36,191; Irish Orienteering Association €35,965; Irish Sailing Association €248,956; Irish Squash €111,392; Irish Surfing Association €48,725; Irish Table Tennis Association €65,876; Irish Tae Kwon Do Union To be confirmed; Irish Ten Pin Bowling Association €16,065; Irish Tug of- War Association €29,975; Irish Underwater Council €49,350; Irish Waterski Federation €3,500; Irish Wheelchair Association €299,509; Motor Cycle Union of Ireland E77,131; Motor Sport Ireland €137,999; Mountaineering Council of Ireland E90,000; National Community Games E239,000; Shooting Sports Association of Ireland E25,048; Official National Amateur Karate Association of Ireland To be confirmed; Pitch and Putt Union of Ireland €71,575; Racquetball Association of Ireland E15,583; ROI Snooker & Billiards Association €56,975; Special Olympics Ireland E499,257; Speleological Union of Ireland €19,000; Swim Ireland €375,750; Tennis Ireland €387,665; Triathlon Ireland €20,000; Volleyball Association of Ireland €164,325.

Total Allocations as at Wednesday, January 19th, 2005: E6,287,861

Total NGB Core Grants Budget 2005: €6,730,000