Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Special Olympics.

Enda Kenny

Question:

419 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his proposals for the hosting of the 2003 Special Olympics here; the nine venues at which 2003 games athletes will participate; if he has proposals to spread the competition areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13557/01]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

The Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in June 2003 when Ireland will play host to an estimated 7,000 athletes, 3,000 coaches and delegates along with 25,000 relatives and friends. The Games Organising Committee, GOC, under the chairmanship of Mr. Denis O'Brien, has overall responsibility for the planning, organising and financing of the games. The GOC has formed a number of sub-committees to address specific tasks and functions associated with delivering a successful games. I have no direct or day to day responsibility for the execution of the games.

As regards the provision of sporting facilities, the GOC inform me that it is making good progress. At this stage, all 18 venues for the games have been confirmed. The venues are all in the general Dublin region because of the logistical needs of the competing teams. For example, many teams have small numbers and it would not be possible to split the delegations. Other con siderations are that each team has only one team leader and one medical person.

I recently launched the host town programme which is an important element of the Special Olympics. The host town programme will provide 160 towns countrywide an opportunity to host a team for a few days before the games begin. The campaign to recruit cities and towns is well under way and I am informed that towns all over the country, including towns from the west, are already enrolling with Special Olympics.