Vol. 502 No. 3
556 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the appeals mechanisms available to sporting organisations against decisions made by the Irish Sports Council on issues relating to funding; and his views on whether it is fair that any appeals against decisions made by the council are currently considered by the council itself. [7700/99]
Allocations to national sports organisations are approved by me on the basis of recommendations made by the Irish Sports Council, which considers applications in the first instance.
The council's recommendations to my Department follow on a careful and detailed evaluation of each application and are made having regard to criteria for grant approval outlined in my Department's sections 15 and 16 reference book prepared under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997. The Irish Sports Council will meet with any sports organisation which wishes to discuss any aspect of its programmes in the context of the annual allocation. Formal submissions from organisations appealing against allocation decisions are normally referred to me, as Minister, for determination, after consultation with the council and having regard to overall resources available to me for such purposes.
557 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the funding, if any, available to fund amateur sports clubs travelling abroad to participate in sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7818/99]
Under the scheme currently administered by my Department, funding is provided to recognised national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) to assist with overall running costs of the organisation, including the cost of participating in international competition.
Any application from individual clubs or members for funding in respect of the cost of participation in international competition must, therefore, be channelled through the relevant governing body of the sport. It is a matter for each NGB to prioritise events in its international programme.
