The Irish Sports Council (ISC) have revealed that, even though earlier this month they lost €2.7 million (£2.3 million/$3.5 million) in funding due to the Irish Government's €6 billion (£5 billion/$8 billion) austerity cuts, the country's athletes will be protected from the massive blow. 

The three existing levels of grants - €40,000 (£34,000/$52,000) for contracted athletes, €20,000 (£17,000/$26,000) for world class and €12,000 (£10,000/$16,000) for international class - are to be maintained for the coming year.

Derval O'Rourke, David Gillick, Jason Smyth, Taylor, Kenny Egan and many more of Ireland's top amateur boxers got the top level of support last year in a scheme that gave out over €2.6 million (£2.2 million/$3.4 million) to 110 athletes in 20 different sports, plus additional grants for junior and development programmes.

Kieran Mulvey (pictured), the chairman of the ISC, said:"The Council has decided that there will be no cut in the funding for the International Carding System and in our grant programme for our elite athletes in 2011.

"This is our investment in you for 2011 and 2012.

"Through our High Performance Unit we hope to continue to deliver finalists at European, World, Olympic and Paralympic level.

"It is essential to provide security to those athletes who represent Ireland at the highest level of competition and bring so much pride to the country.

"2010 saw remarkable performances at the highest levels of international competition.

"Following on from the exceptional performances of 2009 and 2010, Irish athletes continued to excel at championship level.

"In sports supported by the Irish Sports Council in 2010, Ireland won 30 medals at World and European level.

"The medals were won in eight sports; 15 by men and 15 by women; 18 by seniors and 12 by juniors.



"The range of sports involved is hugely significant as it demonstrates the depth and breadth of talent in Ireland.

"The High Performance Unit of the Council measures our investments and benchmark performances against the same years in the high performance cycle; in 2002 Ireland won 10 medals and in 2006 Ireland won nine medals.

"Sporting performances lift the mood of the nation especially in these difficult times.

"The efforts of our successful sportsmen and women helped the Council build the case to the Government to keep investing in sport.

"The Minister and her officials at the Department have ensured that the Council have substantial budget for our work in 2011.

"It was an effort much appreciated by the wider community of sport and admired by others who did not fare so well.

"Ireland's sportspeople can always be relied on to give of their best.

"Over the past few years this has resulted in historic achievements and a notable haul of medals won and records set."

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