Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 1

Written Answers. - Olympic Games.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

121 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans being put in place in connection with the next Olympic Games; and the indicative funding being provided therefor. [27815/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

236 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the extent to which coaching, training and management facilities exist for Irish athletes in preparation for the next Olympic Games; if such facilities compare favourably with those available in other competing countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28261/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

239 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the extent to which he intends to directly assist through funding, advice or other means Ireland's participation in the next Olympic Games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28266/01]

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

I propose to take Questions 113, 121, 236 and 239 together.

I asked the Irish Sports Council to carry out an in-depth review of Ireland's preparation for and participation in the Sydney Olympics, including the supports, programmes and schemes which were put in place leading up to the Games. The report of the review, including recommendations for the Athens 2004 Olympics, was published on 6 February 2001. The report outlined 29 recommendations for the key agencies involved in order to bring about the radical change that is required for success in 2004 and beyond. The review steering group identified the Irish Sports Council as the body best placed to oversee implementation of these recommendations.

The Sports Council has met the key agencies, including the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and the National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) and all parties have committed themselves to the recommendations and to the spirit of co-operation required in the lead up to Athens 2004 and beyond.

The council also established a high performance committee to assist and advise the council in the development of a high performance strategy for Irish sport, which has recently been completed and which is currently being considered by my Department. A wide range of interests were represented on the committee including the athletes, NGBs, the NCTC, the OCI, the Paralympic Council of Ireland, Sports Campus Ireland, my Department and the Sports Council Northern Ireland. A review of the future role and structure of the NCTC is currently under way and a new board of management as well as a new memorandum of agreement and terms of reference for the centre's operation are in place.

In commenting on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Sydney review group it is important to highlight the process and the role played by the national governing bodies of sport in the preparation of our elite athletes and teams for international competition. With the aid of financial support and advice from the Irish Sports Council, the NGBs train and employ coaches, organise training camps and prepare teams to compete in major international events such as the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships and home internationals. The work of the other bodies such as the NCTC, OCI and Paralympic Council should all be seen in the context of supporting and underpinning the work of the NGBs on behalf of their athletes.

With that important role in mind, the Sports Council has worked very closely with the NGBs to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses, and the need for strategic planning; the achievement of value for money and the introduction of measurement criteria.

The governing bodies of Olympic sports have already commenced the development of performance plans for their sports and a liaison group has been established between the Sports Council and the OCI to help maintain liaison and co-operation between them and, very importantly, to drive and monitor the implementation of the Sydney review recommendations.

I am not aware of any study, which compares the range of coaching, training and management facilities available here and the various other supports which exist for our elite sports persons with those in other EU countries. I am satisfied that the preparations for future Olympic success are well under way and that satisfactory co-operation is being achieved thus far in the process from all concerned. Under the terms of the Irish Sports Council Act, 1999, funding for national governing bodies is an operational matter for the council.

Question No. 114 answered with Question No. 87.

Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 110.