Vol. 497 No. 5
57 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his Department's definition of swimming as a sport; if swimming qualifies for supports or grants as a sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25361/98]
As the Deputy will be aware, funding for specific sports is channelled through national governing bodies of sport which are recognised by my Department as eligible for funding. In the case of swimming, the recognised NGB is the Irish Amateur Swimming Association.
Earlier this year, in the context of concerns raised about the handling of issues relating to child sexual abuse in swimming, I decided that funding would be withheld from the IASA until such time as I was satisfied that the association had put in place the appropriate structures and measures in the organisation to secure a safe environment for their younger members.
The IASA has been in consultation with its wider membership over recent months and, following an EGM on 1 November, submitted to me its proposals to reconstitute the association and change its name to Swim Ireland.
