A record €28.5 million in funding has been confirmed for Sport Ireland's High Performance Unit for this year, the highest amount ever recorded for a single year.
It marks a €600,000 increase on last year, with 139 athletes currently funded by the programme, with former international high-jumper and Olympian Deirdre Ryan its current chairperson.
Irish athletes enjoyed their best ever year In 2025, winning 127 major medals, which was an increase on the 112 claimed the year before.
Sport Ireland defines a major medal as one won, "at senior or non-senior (e.g., youth, junior, under 21, etc.) level, at European Championships, World Championships, Olympic Games and Paralympics Games."
Highlights included Sarah Healy's gold in the 3000m in the European Indoor Championships, Orla Comerford's brace of golds at the World Para Athletic Championships and Daniel Wiffen's gold medal in the 1500m Freestyle at the European Short Course Swimming Championships.
Of the total amount of funding, €4.75 million will be spent on Sport Ireland's carding scheme, which is the process by which funding is allocated to individual athletes to allow them to train and prepare for international competition.
"We would like to thank the government for their investment in high performance sport," said Deirdre Ryan, Chairperson of the Sport Ireland High Performance Committee.
"This backing will allow us to accelerate system improvements across coaching, innovation, and pathway development. The 2026 investment reflects this commitment, with €2.5m planned to be spent in these areas.
"Sport Ireland is working with colleagues across the high performance system to support the additional costs that the LA Olympic Games will bring. We're committed to protecting and enabling performance whilst maintaining cost efficiencies."
Last year, Sport Ireland set a target of eight to 10 medals at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Sport Ireland will reintroduce two-year Carding awards in 2027 and 2028, which means 2026 will be a key year for athletes to achieve criteria and secure this multi-annual funding award.
