Written Answers. - Olympic Games.
Bernard Allen
Question:
114
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the level of funding made available in 1998 in the Olympic Council of Ireland in preparation for the Sydney Olympics; the funding he will allocate for 1999 in this regard; and the funding applied for in each situation.
[3117/99]
Bernard Allen
Question:
115
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the level of funding applied for by the Olympic Council of Ireland for the European Youth Olympics at Asbjerg, Denmark; and the amount allocated in this regard.
[3118/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together.
In its 1998 grant application, the Olympic Council of Ireland sought total funding from my Department of £511,985 in respect of various activities in 1998. The application was subject to detailed consideration and the following payments made:–
|
£
|
|
(i)Management and Administration
|
100,000
|
|
(ii)Visits to Sydney by OCI personnel
|
8,275
|
|
(iii)Information Technology
|
11,171.55
|
|
Total
|
119,446.55
|
In addition, grant aid of up to £50,000 was offered to the OCI towards the cost of sending a team to the inaugural World Youth Olympics in Moscow. However the OCI chose not to take up this offer.
The Olympic Council of Ireland's 1998 grant application also sought an amount of £68,000 in respect of the European Youth Olympics to be held in Esbjerg, Denmark in July 1999. The Olympic Council of Ireland subsequently submitted a detailed application to my Department requesting a revised level of funding of £87,665 – 100 per cent of the estimated cost – towards the cost of sending 65 athletes and 24 officials to the event. An amount of £26,522 was included in this estimate for gear and clothing.
Following detailed examination of the application in my Department and consideration by the high performance advisory committee and the Irish Sports Council, I approved a grant of up to £60,000 based on the cost of sending 65 athletes and 24 officials to the Games excluding any amount in respect of gear and clothing.
The approval of the grant is subject to a report being submitted to my Department subsequent to the Games detailing the full and final cost of participation in the event; the exact events competed in and results of all team members, and a technical report by the Chef de Mission.
The OCI was informed of my decision on 20 January 1999.
I am not in a position at this stage to say what funding will be allocated to the Olympic Council of Ireland in 1999. The 1999 grant application form will issue to the Olympic Council shortly and I will make a decision on the level of funding to be provided following receipt and consideration of this application.
