Vol. 494 No. 3
253 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the supports, if any, available from his Department for Irish athletes studying and training abroad who represent Ireland on the international stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18151/98]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that earlier this year I introduced a new system of supports for individual high performance athletes, known as the international carding scheme. This scheme replaces the outstanding sportspersons grant scheme which operated from 1986 to 1997. The international carding scheme represents a new innovation in the development of high performance sport in Ireland. An essential difference under the new system is that qualification as a card holder is based on strict performance criteria and rankings related to each sport. The new scheme has been developed in consultation with the national governing bodies of sport and the national coaching and training centre in Limerick.
Under the scheme, our most talented junior, emerging, and world class athletes will not alone be eligible to apply for much improved direct financial support, but will also have access, free of charge, to a specified network of sport science and medical services, a career planning and counselling service, and training facilities. The objective of the new support system is to nurture and encourage emerging talent and turn world class potential into world class performances, thereby increasing our chances of winning medals.
The new scheme has a budget of more than £1 million in 1998 which represents a significant increase in direct funding to the athletes in terms of financial support and services — in fact, double the amount allocated under the old Outstanding Sportspersons Grant Scheme in 1997. The new carding scheme also compares very favourably with similar schemes in operation in other European countries. I recently announced grants totalling over £925,000 in respect of 170 player-athletes who qualified under the 1998 international carding scheme. I am pleased to say that included in this figure are awards to 24 player-athletes with disabilities.
Athletes wishing to enquire about their eligibility for the new scheme are advised to contact their national governing body of sport who will provide all the necessary information. It is intended that the national governing bodies of sport will be circulated with details of the 1999 scheme before the end of 1998. I will arrange for full details of the international carding scheme to be supplied immediately to the Deputy.
