Allocations to national sports organisations are approved by me on the basis of recommendations made by the Irish Sports Council, which considers applications in the first instance.
The council's recommendations to my Department follow on a careful and detailed evaluation of each application and are made having regard to criteria for grant approval outlined in my Department's sections 15 and 16 reference book prepared under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. The Irish Sports Council will meet with any sports organisation which wishes to discuss any aspect of its programmes in the context of the annual allocation. Formal submissions from organisations appealing against allocation decisions are normally referred to me, as Minister, for determination, after consultation with the council and having regard to overall resources available to me for such purposes.