Spending on sport to be increased by 17%

A 17% increase in spending on sport includes two major initiatives: a €1.5m grant towards a “development strategy” for hurling in the weaker counties and e1m to bolster Gaelic games in Dublin.

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue also proposed a capital allocation for sports facilities of €70m, including an increase in the 2005 allocation under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme from €15m to €25m. Fourteen swimming pool projects have been completed since 2000 and many more are underway.

Almost €69m has been provided towards the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, and the programme extended for a further four years to 2008. By the end of this year, Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon will have received €206.4m and €51.6m, respectively, from the fund.