40. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that will be provided for Irish participation at the Olympic and Paralympic games in Los Angeles 2028, following the success of Ireland’s athletes at the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36876/24]

The inspiring performance of Team Ireland at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer have captured the heart of the nation. We have seen what is possible to achieve with the determination, commitment and dedication shown by all of our athletes.

For the Paris Cycle 2021-2024, the Government provided a record-level investment of approximately €89 million towards high performance sport. This was a substantial increase on the €59 million invested for the Tokyo Cycle.

In respect of the LA Cycle 2024-2028, the Government will work to ensure that the figure for this cycle will be substantially higher again. The precise level of support will be decided by Government in the context of the Estimates campaigns from this year to 2027.

Increased funding for high performance sport will reflect, in particular, our High Performance Strategy 2021-2032. The High Performance Strategy provides the over-arching policy framework for the development of our high performance system for the next two Olympiads in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

The importance of collaboration in preparing for these Games, in particular between Sport Ireland, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland and the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport should also be recognised.

The task ahead is to sustain and build on what has been achieved to date. More athletes, coaches on more stable contracts, and additional services will be needed in the coming years to enable national sporting bodies to carry through well-funded, stable high performance programmes.

There will be a particular need to focus on Coaching and High Performance Pathways to identify and nurture the emergence of talent. Nurturing such talent requires additional investment at each phase of the pathway bearing in mind that it takes a considerable period of time to produce a successful athlete.

Work has already started in these areas but will need to be accelerated if our athletes are to compete successfully at the Los Angeles games and beyond.

With the benefit of considerable support from the Government, I am confident that Team Ireland's participation in the next Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a successful one.