Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2016
613. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding he has made available for the Rugby World Cup bid 2023 to date in 2016; the amount he has committed to 2017; the organisations that are in receipt of funding broken down by amount and organisation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39611/16]
View answerThe Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is engaged in the preparation of an all-island bid to host the Rugby World Cup in 2023. The Government is committed, in co-operation with the Northern Authorities, to support the bid. As part of that commitment, the Government has agreed to contribute just over €1.2 million to the overall cost of preparing the bid. The remainder is being funded by the Northern Ireland Executive and the IRFU.
To date, an amount of €800,000 has been provided by my Department to Fáilte Ireland to enable that Agency to provide grant aid to the IRFU to assist in the development of the bid. This grant aid is provided in stages to the IRFU subject to the delivery of the milestones in its contract with Fáilte Ireland. The balance of the Government's contribution of €420,000 is due to be paid to Fáilte Ireland in 2017 and, subject to delivery of the terms of the contract, will be paid to the IRFU.
