Ireland Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring announced a comprehensive package for sporting organizations by Sport Ireland, "the newly created agency for the development of sport in Ireland," according to Michael O'Neill of SPORTS NEWS IRELAND. The announcement supports "Irish participation at the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in August and September," with a total grant package in excess of €10M ($11.1M). In addition, with the support of the services of the new Institute of Sport High Performance Training Centre, at Sport Ireland’s National Sports Campus, "the total investment in High Performance Sport for 2016 will be well in excess" of €11M ($12.3M). There was also a package of €10.6M ($11.8M) "invested in National Governing Bodies of Sport with a further" €5M ($5.6M) investment through the National Network of Local Sports Partnerships. Some of the highlights of the announcement include: over €1.8M ($2M) invested through the Int'l Carding Scheme (details of which will be announced soon); over €600,000 ($668,550) will be invested in NGBs toward Women in Sport Programs to ensure opportunities for women across the sporting spectrum (with further investment to be announced across the Ireland FA and Irish Rugby Football Union) and a further €114,700 ($127,804) through Local Sports Partnerships.
SUMS DISTRIBUTION: High Performance sports will receive €10.25M ($11.4M), while Governing Bodies will get €10.6M. Sport Ireland allocated €200,000 ($222,850) to the Confederation of Golf in Ireland for the Team Ireland Golf Scheme in '16. Also included in the allocation "will be financial support for the hosting of a Challenge Tour event in September" (SPORTS NEWS IRELAND, 2/16).
