Vol. 336 No. 1
asked the Minister for Education the amount of the grant currently received by the National Executive Council of the Community Games; and if he will increase this amount in view of the importance of the games to the youth of the country and the increased participation in the games.
942.
asked the Minister for Education if he will increase the grant to the National Executive Council of the Community Games in the light of their recent grant application for £118,000.
943.
asked the Minister for Education whether he approves of the Community Games; and, if so, if he will make sufficient finance available to enable the National Executive Council to function effectively.
944.
asked the Minister for Education if he proposes to increase this year the grant-in-aid to the National Executive Council of the Community Games; how much was granted to the council over the last three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 941 to 944, inclusive, together.
I recognise the contribution which community games have made to the development of children's interest in sport at an early age and to the provision of outlets for sports participation for young people who might not be catered for through existing club structures.
The following grants have been paid to the National Executive Council of the Community Games over the last three years in respect of the organisation and administration of the games: 1979, £14,500; 1980, £17,000; 1984, £19,000.
I have approved a grant of £25,000 to the council for 1982, an increase of over 31.5 per cent on the 1981 figure.
In addition to this sum my Department will continue to make grant-aid available under the development officer scheme and to re-imburse the National Executive Council of the Community Games in respect of the gross salary of the full-time general secretary and organiser. The total grants payable to the National Executive Council of Community Games in 1982 will amount to in excess of £40,000.
