Vol. 495 No. 5
22 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will clarify the situation regarding the non-provision of medical services to our top performance athletes under the new international carding scheme for players and athletes in view of adverse media reports during summer 1998 and the fact that these services were promised under the scheme. [20518/98]
54 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that exist in relation to agreeing the participation of organisations in the supply of medical support services to Ireland's top athletes as announced by him under the international carding scheme for players and athletes. [20519/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 54 together.
In May 1998 I launched an international carding scheme specifically designed to meet the needs of Ireland's high performance players and athletes. This scheme represents an innovative system of State support for Ireland's top sportspersons, replacing the outstanding sportspersons grant scheme previously operated by the Department of Education and Science between 1986 and 1997. The first awards under the new scheme totalling £925,000 for 170 athletes were announced on 4 August last.
As part of the new scheme, a sports science and medical support network has been established under the auspices of the National Coaching and Training Centre in Limerick. This network provides a range of essential services to carded athletes under the following headings: sports biomechanics, sports medicine, including chartered physiotherapists, sports nutrition, sports physiology and sports psychology. A specific range of services, depending on the categorisation of the athlete and subject to certain limits, is available to carded athletes free of charge under the scheme. A list of authorised services providers in respect of which agreements are in place with the NCTC has recently been provided to the carded athletes. The booklet contains information on all the medical services available to them.
I am glad to confirm that, contrary to the media reports referred to by the Deputy, the new medical support network is fully operational and includes a comprehensive range of services providers to meet the needs of our carded athletes in accordance with the provisions of the scheme.
I welcome the response because it is important our top athletes get the top medical and scientific services at the expense of the Government. The media report was worrying. Was there a problem in the provision of the services after the athletes had been given their grants? Is there a problem now? Does the Minister have assurances from all those listed in his document that services and the programme are up and running?
I assure the Deputy that contrary to media reports everything was and is in order. It was somewhat mischievous of certain people to try to undermine the scheme. For example, on 27 July I received a letter from the Olympic Council advocating its drugs programme. It was stated that I responded a week later, namely on 4 August, to the letter sent by it. A mischievous letter was also sent to it stating that the Blackrock Clinic would have nothing to do with the Sports Council. We wrote to the Blackrock Clinic and received a reply which stated:
Thank you very much for your letter of the 28th ult. to Dr Liam Hennessy.
Regrettably I have been unable to deal with the matter in the intervening period until the matter was brought to my attention by Liam Hennessy.
May I state categorically for the Blackrock Clinic that Dr Joe Cummiskey, while practising as a consultant at the Blackrock Clinic, does not in any way represent or have any authority to represent the Blackrock Clinic in any business matters.
I wish to state therefore that on behalf of the Blackrock Clinic we would most sincerely wish to be a part of the new carding system for elite athletes.
I wish also to confirm that myself or our Chief Accountant, Mr Brian Scollard, Superintendent Physiotherapist, Ms Noreen O'Shea and Dr Liam Hennessy would be more than willing to meet with you either in Limerick or at Blackrock Clinic to view our facilities and discuss as to how we can proceed further with testing elite athletes.
Thus to summarise, the Blackrock Clinic wish to state:
1. Dr. Cummiskey is not in a position to issue faxes purporting to be for or on behalf of the Blackrock Clinic.
2. The Blackrock Clinic wishes most definitely to participate in the new carding scheme subject to organisation arrangements being agreed on a satisfactory basis between both parties.
I look forward to meeting you in the not too distant future.
The articles appearing with some regularity in Phoenix appear to be trying to undermine all we have done previously. Deputy Allen will have been aware of this in the past. An article appeared in Phoenix on 17 July, but the letter was not written to me until 27 July. This indicates that ongoings were printed in Phoenix before I received the letter. To clarify the position, the Blackrock Clinic is currently totally behind us.
Given that the Blackrock Clinic provides one of the best sports clinics in the country, in whose interest was Dr. Cummiskey speaking? Will the Minister confirm that Dr. Cummiskey is the medical officer for the Olympic Council of Ireland?
I offer the Minister my support with regard to this matter. The introduction of the new system was announced in February 1996.
A question please, Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that a similar situation arose in 1996 when the Olympic Council of Ireland alleged that because of shortage of funds, athletes could not be treated medically? However, at the time the council had substantial funds on deposit. I support the Minister and I resent athletes being used as hostages in a power struggle.
Dr. Cummiskey is the medical officer of the Olympic Council of Ireland. He was also the medical officer during the last games in Atlanta. I agree with Deputy Allen that there should be co-operation on this matter. I am sure I speak for all Members when I say that I hope what happened in Atlanta is not repeated in Sydney in 2000.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
