Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 24 November 2021

Select Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport And Media

Estimates for Public Services 2021
Vote 33 - Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Supplementary)

Photo of Peter FitzpatrickPeter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It has been a tough two years. As a sports person and on behalf of all sporting organisations, I thank the Government for the funding. The €88.5 million last year was a lot to keep operations going. It was very good for health and well-being. This is my first opportunity to wish Mr. John Treacy, chief executive officer of Sport Ireland, the best of luck for the future. He has done a fantastic job being involved with the organisation since 1999 and since the establishment of Sport Ireland in 2015.

Sport Ireland has distributed money to all levels and the three main national bodies. I have a fear and I asked this question before. I have spoken to people in grassroots clubs and as I said, it has been a tough two years. Many of these clubs have done much fantastic work in the local community. Is there any way we can audit or check to ensure money is being distributed correctly? I know a certain amount goes to the three main organisations but there is much money. Are we following this money?

There are many clubs involved with the three main sports. I have spoken to people in clubs involved in all sports and some seem to find it very hard to get the money to survive. What mechanism do we have to examine this? This is money from the Government and the taxpayer and it is going to the right places but how do we know it is being distributed fairly among organisations?

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