Vol. 497 No. 5
62 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the preparations, if any, being made for an Irish team to compete as successfully as possible in the Sydney Olympics; the funding, if any, being made available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25612/98]
Selection of the Irish team for participation in the Sydney Olympic Games is a matter for the Olympic Council of Ireland.
The Government's strategic plans for the development of high performance sport include the provision of substantial funding in 1998 and 1999 to the national governing bodies of sport to improve their operational and technical capabilities and assist with their international training and competition programmes which are aimed primarily at preparing teams to compete successfully at the highest level including the Olympic Games in Sydney. In addition, under the new international carding scheme launched earlier this year, many of Ireland's high performance players and athletes who have embarked on qualification for the Sydney games have received much improved individual grants to help meet necessary international competition and training expenses. The carding scheme also provides access to a full range of specified back—up services which include sports science and medical support, career planning and counselling and training facilities. Financial support is also being provided from my Department towards the cost of a specified range of activities in respect of the Olympic Council of Ireland which has a pivotal role to play in Ireland's participation in the Sydney games.
