Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
248. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if new criteria will be established for the classification of athletes on the Covid-19 restrictions list, for example, that in athletics the top ten athletes on the national rankings lists will be granted exemption from restrictions and allowed train and compete. [5760/21]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including high performance sport. Athletes supported by the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme and members of high performance teams funded by Sport Ireland are permitted to continue training during the current restrictions. The selection of members of the high performance team is a matter for the National Governing Body of sport concerned, and neither I nor my Department have any role in selection of these teams.
National Governing Bodies are required to ensure that their high performance programmes follow a strict protocol for the delivery of training and behind closed doors competition, as well as ongoing daily monitoring of athletes and staff. Extraordinary levels of control are in place within high performance training environments. The ability to implement and adhere to these high levels of control have ensured the continued safe operation of high performance programmes at specified venues throughout Ireland including the Sport Ireland Campus, National Rowing Centre, and the Irish Sailing Performance HQ.
Officials from my Department and Sport Ireland are in regular contact with the sporting bodies to ensure that athletes are afforded every opportunity to achieve their target of qualifying for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. Effective preparation for the Tokyo Games is a shared priority for all concerned and the existing arrangements will be kept under regular review.
