asked ask the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will meet the FAI to discuss outstanding issues which exist between him and that organisation regarding the construction of a national stadium and compensation arising from the Government's decision to withdraw visas from the Yugoslav football team and development grants. [2860/00]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Football Association of Ireland.
5.
I would first like to assure the House that, as far as the Government is concerned, there are no issues outstanding between myself and the Football Association of Ireland and that I am available and willing to meet the FAI to discuss any matter relating to sport. Indeed, I was pleased to perform the official opening of the FAI's very successful coaching forum held in UCD on 8 January last.
In relation to the national stadium, the position is that the FAI, through its chief executive officer, participated fully on the steering committee and co-operated fully with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the preparation of the feasibility study on the project. As the Taoiseach's recent announcement acknowledges, the three main sports bodies, including the FAI, have indicated their support for the new stadium. While the association still has plans to develop its own stadium, its support for Stadium Ireland as a potential venue for games that potentially might attract over 45,000 spectators, is welcome.
In December last, the FAI sought a subvention in respect of losses which it associated with the postponement of the Republic of Ireland/ Yugoslavia match the previous June. The Deputy will be aware that the postponement arose following the Government's decision to refuse visas to the members of the Yugoslav football team to enter this country. This decision was taken in view of the failure on the part of UEFA to cancel the match, in light of the unacceptable situation in Kosovo and the indictment of the International Tribunal against the highest authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The decision of the Government was welcomed by the FAI. However, UEFA imposed a £50,000 fine on the FAI and the match was rearranged for and played on 1 September.
Costs and revenues generated from the Irish team's participation in events like the Euro 2000 championships are generally a matter for the association and dealt with in that context. Therefore, while continuing to provide funds to the FAI under a range of schemes, both capital and current, I did not make any specific allocation in relation to this item. Last year the FAI received some £166,000 in current funding and FAI affiliated clubs were approved for almost £4 million in grants under the sports capital programme.
Additional Information.When the FAI presented its pre-budget submission, Improving the Quality of Life and Social Inclusion Through the Development of Soccer, in November last the Minister for Finance and myself met its representatives separately and it was made clear at the time that while the proposals contained in the submission were progressive the question of future funding of the association can only be considered in the context of overall sports policy in relation to the whole spectrum of sports and of the resources available.
The Irish Sports Council is the body with statutory responsibility for the funding of individual sports organisations and for working with governing bodies in the development of all sports in the country. Accordingly, I supplied the council with the FAI's submission for consideration in the context of its work in the development of Irish sport.
The grants to national governing bodies of sport for 2000, which the council announced recently, includes an allocation in excess of £114,000 for the FAI. This is in addition to the funds the council has set aside for the association, along with the GAA and the IRFU, in respect of pilot initiatives in which the three organisations are involved aimed at increasing participation in sport and recreation by young people from selected disadvantaged areas. The aim of the pilot initiative is to produce models of best practice for governing bodies and clubs working in areas of disadvantage generally. Last year the association received an allocation of £58,000 under this scheme. The council will be evaluating the effectiveness of this expenditure before determining the level of this year's allocations under the scheme.
I am aware of the magnificent contribution which the Football Association of Ireland makes to the development of sport here and I want to ensure that the close co-operation which exists between myself, the Irish Sports Council and the FAI continues to flourish.
Is it not true that it was the Government's sole decision to withdraw visas for the members of the Yugoslav team due to play in Dublin last June? Does the onus, therefore, not fall on the Government to compensate the FAI for the £50,000 fine imposed on it? Given that departmental resources will be invested in the development of the national stadium, will the level of funding provided to sporting organisations throughout the country be reduced? In view of the fact that the FAI is not involved in this development, will it lose out to a greater degree than any of the other organisations?
Absolutely not, nothing could be further from the truth. As the Deputy is aware, the FAI has decided to proceed, as it is entitled, with the development of Eircom Park. The Irish soccer team has done well in the past and its supporters have been great ambassadors for this country.
In proceeding with the national stadium, it is the Government's intention to remove the burden from national sporting organisations of having to provide their own stadia. This will allow the investment of financial resources in helping the clubs, etc., which constitute those organisations. My Department will continue to fund community, social and football clubs. In 1999, the Government invested more money in improving sporting facilities than was invested in the three years, 1995 to 1997. It is not necessarily the fault of smaller clubs, but at the end of last year I was obliged to return £8 million to the Exchequer because smaller individual grants had not been drawn down as a result of clubs not being able to employ builders or developers to proceed with construction projects.
As stated previously, money is not necessarily my problem. My problem lies in trying to obtain proposals which are at such an advanced stage that they are suitable for immediate commencement. We will continue to invest money in soccer and other clubs.
This matter is totally separate from the Government's commitment to build a national stadium. I remind the Deputy that it is £231 million in the context of £40 billion spread across all other areas for which we are catering, including social welfare, health and education. It is a small amount in the entire sporting infrastructure.