Dan Neville
Question:514 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will make a statement on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [15457/09]
View answerWednesday, 22 April 2009
Questions (459)
Written answers
The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of competitive and recreational sport. The provision of funding to national sports governing bodies is the responsibility of the council and is based on the council's criteria. The national governing bodies, in turn, provide funding to the relevant sports clubs. There is no means by which organisations, clubs or individuals can secure funding outside this process. The Irish Sports Council does not operate a scholarship scheme for athletes to study abroad. However, the international carding scheme provides a range of financial and non-financial supports to assist Ireland's most talented players and Olympic and Paralympic athletes who have the potential to reach finals at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Each athlete must apply through his or her national governing body of sport to be considered for funding under the international carding scheme. The Irish Sports Council is not aware of having received an application under the scheme in respect of this athlete. There are no sports scholarships available from my Department. I understand from the Department of Education and Science that its student grant schemes do not extend to study outside the EU.