Alex Dunne is currently competing in Formula 2.
An Offaly TD says F2 driver Alex Dunne is more than deserving of state funding.
The Clonbullogue racer is competing for this year's Formula Two World Championship, and became first driver from Ireland to win an F2 race last year.
Fianna Fail's Tony McCormack believes he delivers more than enough value for the €30,000 grant coming his way.
While a race seat on the F2 grid costs between two to three million euro, he says the Sport Ireland funding can help:
Meanwhile Fine Gael TD in Offaly John Clendennen says the welcome news calls into question the funding model itself:
"The challenge now is to move beyond individual cases and establish a clear, consistent and sustainable pathway for athletes competing in all sports at an elite international level.
These athletes face considerable costs associated with training, travel, equipment, competition and career progression. In many cases, financial backing can be a significant factor in determining whether a talented young competitor can continue progressing through the international ranks."
Deputy Clendennen says he intends to pursue the issue further with Minister O’Donovan and Sport Ireland, including the possibility of developing a dedicated funding mechanism or clearly defined eligibility criteria for elite competitors in non-Olympic sports.
"This is not about taking resources away from our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, whose achievements and funding requirements must continue to be supported.
It is about ensuring that our approach to sporting excellence is sufficiently broad to recognise the diversity of international competition and the talented Irish people participating in it."
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