asked the Minister for Education if it is intended to allocate any financial assistance towards the training of Irish athletes eligible to compete in the next Olympic Games; and if he considers such assistance necessary.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Olympic Athletes.
45.
Yes. This year I gave the Olympic Council of Ireland a grant of £40,000, an increase of £5,000 on the amount which the Council was given in 1977, towards the cost of training for potential competitors for the 1980 Olympic Games.
The extent of financial assistance to the Olympic Council in 1979 and 1980 will be decided at the appropriate time.
Would the Minister consider that the international prestige which could be gained by athletes winning a major competition such as the Olympic Games would be such that it would be worth increasing this fund more substantially than is indicated here? In relation to the Government policy of sport for all the achievements of these athletes adds to the desire of young people particularly to emulate them, and would the Minister agree that this a very beneficial ideal?
I agree entirely with the Deputy. I am not unconscious of the influence of the master in this culture the same as in every other culture. The Deputy is misinterpreting the money here. The money referred to 1978; naturally in 1979, that being the year coming up to 1980, we would hope to be more generous.
Has the Minister for State any information about the amount of money requested by the Olympic Council during the years in question?
That is a separate question.
If that is a separate question, perhaps the Minister of State would indicate whether the grant by the Government to the Olympic Council has been accompanied by any guidelines or whether the Olympic Council were given freedom to spend the money as they see fit?
Absolutely. In every case where grants have been made the applicants are never entirely satisfied, but I can say that they accept my preparedness to co-operate with them in the great work which they are doing.
When the Minister states that he would like to be more generous next year in the allocation to the Olympic Council, does he see that as keeping in line with inflation or as being above the proposed allocation?
I will be as generous as I can, having regard to the important work which the Olympic Council are doing in the preparation of our athletes for Moscow.