asked the Minister for Education the reason the allocation to Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann would appear to have been reduced from £60,000 in 1987 to £53,000 in this Olympic year; and the steps she proposes to take to ensure an adequate and fair allocation to an association which has substantial numbers of members in each county in the State and which has brought very considerable international success to this country over the past number of years.
Written Answers. - Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann Funding.
24.
There was no reduction in the grant-aid allocated to Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann in 1988 as compared with 1987.
The figure of £60,000 referred to by the Deputy comprises £40,000 allocated under the scheme of annual grants to national governing bodies of sport in respect of coaching, equipment, administration and special projects and £20,000 in respect of the employment of a full-time administrator. The comparable figure for 1988 is £73,000, which comprises £53,000 allocated under the annual grants scheme and £20,000 in respect of the administrator. This represents a 21.66 per cent increase in grant-aid under these headings in 1988.
In addition to the foregoing, Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann also benefits from grant-aid from my Department in respect of grants to outstanding sportspersons and attending and hosting major international competitions.
Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann also benefits from grant-aid from the Olympic Council of Ireland which is in receipt of substantial funding from my Department.
I appreciate the work done by Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann over the past number of years to achieve considerable international success and I am satisfied that the necessary steps have been taken to ensure adequate and fair funding for Bord Lúthchleas na hÉireann in this Olympic year.