Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross has said his department "won't be found wanting" if they are asked for additional funding to prepare Irish rowers for the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.
He was speaking after Ireland secured another gold medal at the World Championships in Bulgaria.
Sanita Puspure came first in the Women's Single Sculls final at the World Rowing Championships to win gold for Ireland.
The Sunday Times reports today that both Rowing Ireland and Sailing Ireland have received less capital funding than they requested ahead of the 2020 Olympics.
Rowing Ireland requested €175,000 in this round of funding but received €90,000.
Sailing Ireland got less than half of the €349,000 it wanted for boats.
Speaking on RTÉ's This Week Mr Ross said Sanita Puspure's victory at the World Rowing Championships today was the cream on top of what was a wonderful weekend of Irish sport.
"We won't be found wanting, nor will Sport Ireland be found wanting if there are funds necessary to make sure they have everything they need to compete in the Olympics" he said.
Asked if there would be more money in the kitty for Irish rowing he said "don't rule it out."
"We gave them what we thought they needed a few weeks ago which was €250,000 for rowing and sailing and €90,000 was allocated to them (Rowing Ireland)".
"If they need to come back for more what I'd suggest they do is they apply for a new sports capital funding programme which I have just opened."
"I can't make any judgement on that but I would have a very good case for it"
"But it would be wrong if people of that talent, with such a chance of flying the flag for Ireland, and winning gold for Ireland were found to be short of money."
