Bernard J. Durkan
Question:128 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is adequate specialisation in Olympic standard sport at third-level institutions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26198/00]
Written Answers. - Sports Facilities.
Sporting facilities are provided and maintained by third level institutions. The extent of these facilities and the level of support staff for these varies by institution. I understand that each of the seven universities offers sports scholarships to students who are particularly talented in a sporting area. These scholarships are funded by the universities with assistance from sporting bodies and private sponsorship. I understand that there were some 184 such scholarships in the 1998-99 academic year. In addition, a number of institutes of technology, on occasion, provide financial assistance to certain students towards the cost of participating in top-level sporting activities.
My colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, has recently asked the Irish Sports Council to carry out an in-depth review of the supports, programmes and schemes currently in place to establish how they can best be implemented to ensure a much improved performance in the 2004 Olympics. The review is expected to be finalised early next year and I can assure the Deputy that I will consider any recommendations of relevance to the education sector that may emerge from the review.