Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2004
57 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the discussions he is engaged in with the Football Association of Ireland regarding its future and the appointment of a chief executive; if funding from the Government is in jeopardy as a result of the difficulties in the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31548/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI met officials of the Football Association of Ireland on 3 November 2004 arising from the recent developments within the FAI which resulted in the departure of the chief executive officer of the association. I have had no further meetings with the FAI since then.
At the meeting, I reiterated to the FAI officials in attendance that the Government looks to the association to become a dependable, effective and efficient organisation capable of accepting and discharging its responsibilities in regard to projects to which the Government has committed substantial support from public funds. These include the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium, the development of a sports campus at Abbotstown, funding under the sports capital programme for soccer clubs at national, regional and local levels and the funding provided to the association by the Irish Sports Council.
I fully support the delivery of the reform agenda mapped out in the Genesis report and I have indicated to the FAI that the positions of chief executive and director of finance should be publicly advertised by the end of this year and that the terms of reference for both these posts be agreed beforehand by the joint Sports Council and the FAI group which oversees the implementation of the Genesis report. I welcome the confirmation by the FAI that it intends to advertise these positions by the end of the year.
No direct funding is made available by my Department to the FAI. Funding is provided, however, under my Department's sport capital programme to clubs affiliated to the FAI towards the development of soccer facilities, and this arrangement will continue.
The Irish Sports Council provides funding in respect of programme costs and I understand that already this year an amount of €1.5 million has been paid out in respect of the implementation of the technical development plan of the FAI. The Irish Sports Council has indicated that an amount of €300,000, which was set aside for the implementation of the Genesis recommendations, will not be paid, while the Irish Sports Council will decide at its meeting on 21 December next whether to pay an outstanding balance of €200,000 in respect of the technical development plan.
I look forward to working closely with the FAI in the continued development of the game of soccer, particularly in the many infrastructural projects which are being developed and which it is hoped will have a major positive impact on Irish soccer.
The Minister will agree we should be discussing the development of soccer and its benefits to our youth, not the administrative side of the game. However, it must be ensured a proper administrative structure will be in place. Has the Minister received feedback from his representative on the FAI-Irish Sports Council liaison committee regarding the date on which the advertisements for the two positions will be placed or is it still up in the air?
I worry when statements are made that funding such as the €200,000 due to the FAI in this instance could be withheld. Who will lose out? The funding is for technical development. Therefore, it will be used to increase staff numbers and train young people in schools. They will lose out rather than the FAI. Perhaps the Minister will correct my interpretation of technical development.
I agree the Genesis report must be implemented and that we must get away from discussing administration and officials to discuss development of the game. However, we must not reach a point where money is withheld from a sector in which youngsters can better themselves. What is the Minister's feeling on this? Has he had feedback from the Irish Sports Council regarding this funding? Will the money be allocated, given that the two positions will be advertised, according to the FAI president, Milo Corcoran?
With regard to the Deputy's first question, I received a letter from the president of the FAI to the effect that the two positions of chief executive officer and financial director would be advertised in accordance with the Government's wishes by year end. I accept that letter in good faith and I am satisfied the FAI will advertise both positions before year end.
With regard to the funding withheld by the Irish Sports Council, €300,000 related to the implementation of the Genesis report while €200,000 related to implementation of the technical development plan. The council made that decision because it is concerned, as am I, that the Genesis report should be implemented at the earliest date. The report has been available for a considerable period and it is time to move to implement it.
The joint Irish Sports Council-FAI liaison group will meet next Monday, 6 December. It will finalise the arrangements for the advertisement of the posts within the timeframe set by the Government. The group must also put in place the necessary arrangements for conducting the selection process, for example, identifying a recruitment agency and the members of the selection committee. I will be available to meet the FAI following the meeting of the liaison group, should such a meeting be deemed necessary.
No direct funding is made available by my Department to the FAI but funding is channelled by my Department through other sources, including the Irish Sports Council and the sports capital programme. The council is responsible for the funding of the FAI in respect of programme activities and set aside €2 million this year for distribution to it, of which €1.5 million has been paid in respect of the organisation's technical development plan. The balance comprises €300,000 for implementation of the Genesis report recommendations. The council has indicated that payment of this amount was suspended. The question of the balance of €200,000 will be considered at its next meeting on 21 December.
