Govt allocates €131m to sport in estimates

The Government has allocated €131m for spending on sport next year, an increase of 17%.

The Book of Estimates for 2005 has included a budget of €34.4m for the Irish Sports Council as well as a range of new initiatives.

These include €1.5m to commence a development strategy for hurling and camogie nationwide; €1m to commence a development strategy for Gaelic Games in Dublin and €750,000 to commence a programmes to attract women into sport.

The book of estimates also provides for €70m in capital grants for sports facilities and a budget for swimming pools of €25m.

An allocation of €68.8m will be provided towards horse and greyhound racing funding.

The book has also revealed that a proposal is to be brought to Government shortly to finance the construction, on a phased basis, of a sports campus at Abbotstown.