asked the Minister for Education the help the Government is providing in this Olympic year to amateur athletes who will have to compete with those who are fully or partly subsidised by their Governments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youth and Sporting Organisations Aid.
18.
I have recently made a grant of £40,000 to the Olympic Council of Ireland to help to prepare our athletes for the 1976 Olympics and towards their expenses in getting to Montreal. This is in addition to the normal grants-in-aid which will be paid to the various national governing bodies of sports organisations.
19.
asked the Minister for education if he will consider this year bringing the grant-in-aid to youth and sporting organisations in line with the calendar year and allocate the 1976 moneys for the nine-months' period ending 31st December, 1976.
The grant-in-aid to youth and sports organisations, are paid annually, and relate to a 12-month period.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the increase of £10,000 this year represents about 2 per cent, that inflation is running at about 20 per cent and that there is not an increase but a decrease of 18 per cent? Knowing that youth organisations throughout the country are in dire need of financial assistance will he give further consideration to the matter of a nine-month period payment?
I cannot say I will because I know it is not possible. There is a modest increase this year as against last year but it is important to realise that in the last two or three years very substantial increases have been given to youth and sport organisations.
I fail to understand where there was a substantial increase over the last two or three years.
The Deputy must ask a supplementary question.
In the interests of the structure of youth development here, will the Parliamentary Secretary give careful consideration to issuing the money for a nine-month period, at least this year?
The allocation this year will be for a 12-month period. In making that allocation, I will do the best I can with the resources I have to give as much as possible to those organisations.
20.
asked the Minister for Education why part of the 1975 grant-in-aid which amounted to £56,775 was not allocated to youth and sporting organisations; and if he will consider making this amount available now together with the 1976 allocation.
The intention of the annual provision for youth and sports organisations is to maintain a fund out of which grants may be made according to current needs. It is considered desirable from time to time to retain a balance in the fund for unexpected or unusual needs. The amount unexpended in 1975 remains available for 1976 in addition to the amount provided in the Estimates for the current year.
In view of the urgent need for money for youth and sporting clubs, it is extraordinary that although we passed this money last year more than £56,000 were unspent. That is a ludicrous situation.
When making allocations this year, the money I have in hands from last year will be taken into consideration and I will make what allocations I can after judging all the different needs which must be taken into account when alloting these moneys.
Am I to take it that the Parliamentary Secretary is prepared to spend the £56,000 unspent last year on the youth organisations this year?
I did not say that.
I am asking that.
I have not reached a final decision on the allocation for this year.
I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary if he is fully aware of the urgent need for this money? Yet there are £56,000 unspent from last year. I am asking him to include that money in this year's allocation.
I have noted the Deputy's request and will make my allocation in the light of what I consider to be the best interests of youth and sports organisations throughout the country.