Vol. 452 No. 3
37 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Education, in view of the recent visit by the WBO Super Middle-Weight Champion, Stephen Collins, to Government Buildings if any assurances have been given regarding improved funding for Irish boxing from the sports budget. [6490/95]
I am very aware of the positive contribution which boxing has made to the sporting and social life of the country down through the years. This is reflected in the fact that the annual grant to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association has been increased in recent years; eleven boxing clubs were allocated grants in 1994 under my Department's Recreational Facilities Scheme; major capital grants have been approved towards the refurbishment of the National Boxing Stadium and the provision of a National Training Centre; boxers are in receipt of funding under my Department's scheme for outstanding and elite sportspeople and in 1992 a total of 218 boxing clubs received special grants towards the purchase of equipment.
Additional funding for the further development of boxing will be considered in the context of the budget for 1996 and subsequent years.
