Irish Sports Council announces 6.17m euro performance investment

The Irish Sports Council (ISC) has announced 6.17m euro in funding for high performance sport for 2006.

The funding will see 1.92m euro allocated to athletes and teams under the 2006 International Carding Scheme, which has been substantially modified.

For 2006, more than 80 athletes will qualify for support under the scheme. Of these, 20 athletes are World Class, with a further eight Potential athletes now under contract to the ISC.

Another change to the Carding scheme is the inclusion of a performance incentive payment, which will trigger additional payments if athletes meet agreed targets.

4.25m Euro has also been earmarked for supporting the performance plans of 15 'focus' sports.

Chief executive of the ISC, John Treacy, said: "The International Carding Scheme has made a significant contribution to elite sport for many years. However, the time was right to make changes so that the scheme fits better into the new structures in high performance sport.

"Direct funding to athletes is very significant and augments the investment in the performance plans being operated by the governing bodies."