Speaking in his role as president of the Irish Federation of Sport, Dublin GAA star Bernard Brogan has called for increased government assistance in funding sport.

While welcoming recent Government commitments in relation to the funding of sport, Brogan is urging a number of new funding initiatives that would future-proof its viability.

"It is clear that sustained Government investment in Irish Sport is paying off with 47.2 per cent of Irish people now participating in sport, up from 30.8 per cent in 2008.

"The increase in participation rates has been reflected in the success of Irish athletes on the international stage-across all sports at all levels-with Irish athletes having so far won a total of 241 medals between 2011 and 20143, compared with just 65 medals from 2007 to 20104.

"However, while it is welcome that the level of funding for the Irish Sports Council has been maintained at €42.5 million and an additional €1 million has been allocated for preparations for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016, and we acknowledge the efforts of Ministers Donohoe and Ring in this regard, this is from a point where there has been a 27 per cent reduction in funding levels since 2008.

"It is clear that more can be done to sustain the sector in supporting people's health and well-being, in enhancing our social fabric and in growing our economy.

"That is why the Federation is today calling on the Government to give serious consideration to affording tax relief to the day-to-day spending of sporting bodies, beyond capital spending as pertains now, as well as including all sports - and not just horse and greyhound racing - in the allocation of development funding from betting taxes."

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