Vol. 384 No. 8
asked the Minister for Education the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim has not been given a grant from national lottery funds in view of the fact that she has represented Ireland successfully at international sports events on many occasions; and if she will make a statement on the matter in view of the fact that others who have not reached the same standard of success have received grants.
253.
asked the Minister for Education if she will name the persons within her Department and from outside bodies who are responsible for the administration of the scheme of grants for outstanding sports persons; and the qualifications which they have to adjudicate on such applications.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.
A minimum requirement for consideration for grant aid under the 1988 Scheme of Grants to Outstanding Sports-persons is that in the context of "Olympic Sports" a senior sports person must be a member of the current Olympic Panel. The athlete referred to in the question was not a member of the Olympic Panel and was therefore ineligible for consideration under the terms of the scheme.
The 1988 Selection Committee, which makes recommendations to the Minister of State at my Department regarding the allocations of grant aid under this scheme and convenes under the Chairmanship of Mr. Noel Murphy, is as follows: Dr. Geraldine Barniville, Mr. Tom O'Riordan, Mr. Jack Mahon, Mr. Liam Tuohy, Mr. George Gibney, Capt. Michael McDonough, Dr. Tony Watson.
This specialised committee is comprised of people who have represented Ireland at the highest level of competitive sport and/or have experience at an appropriate level, in the coaching and administration of sport in Ireland thus bringing together a wealth of experience and knowledge.
The committee has the services of officials of my Department who act as a secretarial service for the committee.
