Vol. 504 No. 3
6 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will set up a golf academy along the lines of the coaching schools in Sweden to financially support and coach young golfers who show exceptional potential. [11787/99]
The development and promotion of sport is primarily a matter for the particular governing body, in this case the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies' Golfing Union.
Last year I launched the international carding scheme for players and athletes which is specifically designed to assist Ireland's most talented players and athletes, including those in the junior and developing categories, realise their potential to perform successfully at the highest international levels. Discussions have been taking place in recent months between representatives of the Irish Sports Council and the golfing unions concerning their plans for young golfers, including the development of appropriate criteria for their possible future inclusion in the international carding scheme for players and athletes.
Under the scheme which is operated in conjunction with the governing bodies and the National Coaching and Training Centre, a range of financial and non-financial supports are available to assist Ireland's most talented players and athletes to realise their potential to perform successfully at the highest international levels.
I am aware of the scheme for young athletes. Sweden has a very successful system of producing and coaching talented young golfers. There is a necessity to do likewise in this country. Would the Minister agree that golf is the fastest growing tourism attraction? Dozens of new courses have been built in the past ten or 15 years but we do not seem to be able to produce the corresponding number of talented young golfers. We depend on a handful of professionals to carry the name of Ireland, such as Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Christy O'Connor Snr., Christy O'Connor Jnr., Philip Walton and John McHenry. We have a small number of people coming on stream each year and there are years when we have no new players.
The Deputy has used up his one minute.
Sweden has dozens of young golfers coming on stream and a much less favourable climate. Will the Minister make a special case for golf?
There is huge potential and Sweden is an example. It brought its academy to Spain five years ago. Ireland has over 380 courses and Sweden has very few, yet it has over 40 players listed in the world rankings. Sweden has no golfing history but it set up its academy in Spain and this has worked. Fortunately, it moved its academy to Ireland last year and will be here for the next five years. I see what the Deputy is getting at and it is worth pursuing. There is huge potential as we have 384 golf courses and £100 million comes into the economy every year through golf. It has been a huge benefit to us.
The Minister's one minute is up.
I have not taken the Swedish idea on board and I do not know what it would cost. However, it has worked for Sweden and it would be nice to see Ireland's image portrayed in a similar fashion. I will look into this matter.
Will the Minister consider encouraging big business to get involved in sponsoring players or a golf scheme? He might also consider getting the tourism industry to contribute.
Will the Minister consider tax concessions for business people who fund young athletes, including golfers? I am sure it was just an omission, but when he said he would be having discussions with the GUI I hope he will not exclude the ILGU.
I mentioned the ILGU.
I hope there will be co-operation between the GUI, the ILGU and the PGA, the professional body. The three must work together to put right what has been wrong for so long.
I agree. I will pursue the issue of tax concessions. However, it will be difficult to get it through. Last year two large businesses came on board with regard to this type of scheme. I am grateful to them as they were willing to put up £100,000 which I was willing to match. Unfortunately difficulties arose with involving the GUI in the carding scheme. It is still worth pursuing but we could not reach agreement between the businesses and the GUI. I tried this last year but was unable to pursue it.
