Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2009
304 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the Irish Sports Council has complete autonomy on the way it spends the money granted to it by the State; if, under the legislation establishing the ISC, it is entitled to withhold funding to organisations under its aegis or veto appointments in non-governing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19807/09]
View answerThe functions of the Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, are outlined at Section 6 of the Irish Sports Council Act, 1999. Under these functions the Council has a statutory role in encouraging the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. The Act provides for the ISC having responsibility for developing "strategies for increasing participation in recreational sport and to coordinate their implementation by all bodies (including public authorities and publicly funded bodies) involved in promoting recreational sport and providing recreational facilities".
In the conduct of the day to day activities of the Sports Council the Department has no direct involvement, the Council is required to have regard to Government policy and shall comply with any general policy direction which may from time to time be given by the Minister.
Since its establishment in 1999 the ISC has been central to developing sporting ability leading to high performance, while at the same time driving participation levels in conjunction with the National Governing Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships, the Institute of Sport, Coaching Ireland and the Olympic and Paralympic Councils.
In the context of the provision of funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport , such funding is provided in accordance with criteria which have been established by the Irish Sports Council. The provision of such funding is administered by the Council to NGBs which satisfy the relevant criteria and the Department has no direct role in the matter. Currently the Council supports and funds over 60 National Governing Bodies of Sport to assist with the delivery of their strategies.
Under the Irish Sports Council Act, 1999, where in the Council's opinion, any person or body that has applied for or received assistance from the ISC, fails to meet any of the applicable criteria, terms or conditions, the Council may (a) withhold assistance from, or refuse to provide assistance to, that person or body and/or (b) demand a refund of any financial assistance provided.
The Irish Sports Council Act, 1999 also states that the Council may (a) request any person or body applying for or receiving assistance to supply the Council with information in such form and at such time as it may require and/or (b) refuse or withhold assistance if satisfied that any information so requested is not forthcoming.
