Vol. 555 No. 5
102 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the level of work still required to ensure the Special Olympics World Games in 2003 is a successful event; and if he has a message for the many organisers and host families in places such as Balbriggan which is hosting the Pakistani team. [19126/02]
The Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Ireland in June 2003, when Ireland will play host to an estimated 7,000 athletes, 3,000 coaches and delegates, along with 28,000 relatives and friends. There will be delegations from more than 160 countries around the world participating in 22 different sports at various venues in the greater Dublin area and in Belfast. This will be the first time the games will be held outside the US and it will be the largest sporting event in the world in 2003.
The games are not organised by or under the aegis of my Department. Such information as I can give the House in relation to the games is provided to me by the organisers and I am sure would be made available to the Deputy should he approach them directly.
The Games Organising Committee, GOC, a non-Governmental organisation, has full responsibility for the planning, organising and financing of the games. It has formed a number of sub-committees to address specific tasks and functions associated with delivering successful games.
The organisers inform me that preparations for the games are well advanced and on schedule. They inform me that they are on target to raise the €34 million in cash and €20 million in in-kind services required to stage the games. The Government has taken the initiative in the fundraising effort by agreeing to provide €10 million in cash.
The remainder of the money is being raised through contributions from the corporate sector, private donors, fundraising activities, the EU and Northern Ireland.
I understand that preparations for the host town programme, which will see 170 delegations stay in cities, towns and villages throughout the island of Ireland for four days prior to the games, are proceeding well. Committees have been formed in each of the towns and detailed preparations, including fundraising, travel and accommodation plans, social and cultural events, are all proceeding on schedule. I congratulate all those involved in this particular programme, which we see so much in evidence throughout the country.
The organisers also inform me that they have secured accommodation at games time, from 21 to 29 June 2003, for the majority of the athletes and officials taking part in schools, universities and hotels in the greater Dublin area and in Belfast, where some of the games venues will be located.
One thousand families have been recruited in the Dublin area to provide bed and breakfast accommodation free of charge to visiting families, who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend the games
I understand that some 15,000 volunteers have already been recruited for the games. Another 15,000 are required and radio and television advertising campaigns are running at present to recruit the remainder. Volunteer training programmes are well advanced and it is envisaged all the required volunteers will have been recruited by the end of the year.
