Vol. 516 No. 1
38 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the correspondence, if any, he has had from the FAI following the Government's decision to postpone the Yugoslavia soccer match which was to take place in Dublin in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6866/00]
In December last, the FAI sought a subvention in respect of losses which they associated with the postponement of the Republic of Ireland-Yugoslavia match the previous June. As you will be aware, that postponement arose following the Government's decision to refuse visas to the members of the Yugoslav football team to enter Ireland. This decision was taken in view of the failure on the part of UEFA to cancel the match in the 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 refixed for Dublin 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 are dealt with in that context. Therefore, while of course 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. The clubs which were the main beneficiaries under this programme in 1999 were Bohemians FC, Shelbourne FC, Kilkenny City FC, Cork City FC, Sligo Rovers FC and Finn Harps FC while a further 60 soccer clubs throughout the country were also supported towards the provision of soccer facilities. The applications for the sport capital programme for 2000 have now been received and I expect to announce allocations before June, including further allocations for the development of soccer facilities throughout the country.
Grants to national governing bodies of sport for 2000, which the Irish Sports Council announced recently, include an allocation in excess of £114,000 for the FAI. This allocation is additional to funds which the council has also 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 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 Sports Council will be evaluating the effectiveness of this expenditure before determining allocation levels this year under the scheme.
