Written Answers. - Sports Funding.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
12
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he considers the budget allocation of £1 million adequate to cover the costs of preparing our athletes for the Sydney Olympics; the proposals, if any, he has to increase this amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[2701/00]
(Dr. McDaid): As part of the Government's ongoing commitment to the development of sport, an additional £1 million was made available in this year's budget to the Irish Sports Council to further assist with the preparation and participation of the Irish teams at this year's Sydney games.
This special additional funding is over and above that already in place for support programmes through the ongoing funding of national governing bodies; the provision of training and competition facilities; the support services provided by the National Coaching and Training Centre and the benefits accruing to our top competitors through the international carding scheme.
This substantial injection of funds, which has been warmly welcomed by the Olympic Council of Ireland and the national governing bodies of sport, represents a major boost to our olympic and paralympic effort.
Last month, the Irish Sports Council announced this year's grants for national governing bodies of sport including olympic preparation, amounting to £5.45 million, an increase of 30% over the previous year's allocation.
The sports council will later this month allocate £1.3 million to support our top competitors under the international carding scheme. The council will also be announcing their funding in support of the work of the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Paralympic Council of Ireland.
The increased funding to olympic sports organisations and the support for individual competitors will provide our olympic athletes with a complete and integrated preparation in the run up to Sydney, including training camps, elite coaching, medical and sport science and top quality international competition.
The support being provided this year and last, to our top sportspersons, in terms of direct finance and the accompanying package of services in the area of medical and sport science, coaching, training and counselling and access to the quality facilities provided under our ambitious sports capital programme represents the largest investment to date in the preparation of Irish teams for the Olympic Games.
