Increased participation in sport and the improvement in standards of elite sport are the main objectives of the Irish Sports Council's three-year strategic plan launched yesterday.
The "Building Sport for Life" strategy is targeting an increase of 1.5 per cent in adult participation rates in sport and 3 per cent in children's participation rates by 2008.
According to 2003 figures, 22 per cent of people were described as living a completely sedentary lifestyle, while 40 per cent were meeting the recommended minimum level of health-enhancing physical activity through sport or walking.
A participation unit will be created to work with governing bodies and sports partnerships in an attempt to get more people involved in sport.
It is also hoped that the development of the Institute of Sport at Abbottstown, Co Dublin will eventually help Ireland reach its goal of having six finalists at the Olympic Games and 12 Paralympic finalists as set out in the Athens Review.
The institute was launched in July, with ex-GAA president Seán Kelly as its executive chairman. It has funding of €1 million this year, and was yesterday promised the €3 million it requires for next year by Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue.
The Irish Sports Council has a budget of €40.9 million and a staff of 25 for 2006.