Funding for Sport in Ireland will increase by 17 per cent next year following the Government's publication of the Book of Estimates.
The Minister for Finance, Mr Cowen, was presenting Estimates ahead of the December Budget.
The annual sports budget has increased from €17 million in 1997 to the 2005 marker of €131 million.
Funding to horse and greyhound racing increases by 3 per cent, or €68.8 million.
There is a sizeable 67 per cent increase in the grant for the provision and renovation of swimming pools, totalling €25 million.
The Irish Sports Council has welcomed a 12 per cent increase in its funding allocation to €32.6 million for 2005.
ISC chairman Pat O'Neill said: "The increase of funding in 2005 will allow us continue to fully implement our strategy, 'Sport for Life', which has a particular emphasis on increasing participation in sport."
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue, has prioritised the issue of women's participation in sport and has made €750,000 available for the Council to invest on sports programmes targeted at women.
Other significant new initiatives include a €1.5 million development grant for hurling and camogie nationwide while Gaelic Games in Dublin is set to profit to the tune of €1 million.