Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2018
228. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount of funding and-or grant aid his Department has made to an association (details supplied) from 1 January 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the purpose for which the funding and-or grant aid was released to the association; if the way in which the funding and-or grant aid is used is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50070/18]
View answerFrom 2008 - 2015, a total of €987,899 was made available to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for the purposes of supporting intercultural football programmes with the objective of promoting integration and combating racism through the medium of sport.
In 2017 a grant of €150,072.75 was awarded to the FAI. The first instalment of €45,021.83 was paid in 2017 with the remaining grant amount to be paid in three further instalments throughout the lifetime of the project, contingent on satisfactory checks and audit. The grant was awarded under an Open Call Process for grant funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The project is titled 'Grassroots Integration through Football'. The aim of the project is to foster integration in Irish society using football, by mobilising community participation nationally. The project is seeking to involve over 6000 participants. The EU Funds Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality is the Responsible Authority for AMIF in Ireland. As part of the grant agreement the FAI is required to provide quarterly financial and operational returns on their activity. In addition, 'On the Spot' (planned and unplanned) verifications can take place. Additional audit is/may be carried out by the Department of Justice Internal Audit section and by the European Commission.
