Frances Fitzgerald
Question:189 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if funding has been reduced to the governing bodies of sports organisations in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10531/99]
Written Answers. - Sports Funding.
Allocations to national governing bodies of sport are decided on the basis of recommendations made to my Department by the Irish Sports Council which considers the applications in the first instance. The Council's recommendations are based on a close and detailed evaluation of applications received from each of the governing bodies and are made having regard to the criteria for grant approval outlined in my Department's section 15 and 16 reference book prepared under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997.
As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question 501 on Tuesday, 20 April 1999 the position is that funding to the national governing bodies of sport for 1999 is not yet finalised as allocations under the international carding scheme in respect of high-performing sportspersons remain to be made. When these allocations have been finalised, it will then be possible to appreciate the full extent of funding to the national governing bodies in 1999.