Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

West Cork is home to some of Ireland's most extraordinary sporting talent, from the Olympic gold of Paul and Gary O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy in Skibbereen to the blistering speed of Phil Healy from Ballineen. Our athletes continue to inspire the nation. We have seen Nicola Tuthill from Kilbrittain rise as one of Ireland's brightest stars in the hammer throw, breaking records and representing us on the world stage. Evan Collins, a young kickboxer from west Cork who has trained for over a decade with Ian Kingston, has competed internationally since the age of nine, bringing home medals from Turkey, Italy and Hungary. Behind these achievements lies a troubling reality. Evan and others have had to rely on GoFundMe campaigns just to represent Ireland. There is no structured supports for athletes like him despite their dedication and success. These champions are not sporting icons, they are ambassadors for our communities, role models for our youth and proof that rural Ireland can produce world-class talent, but talent alone is not enough. Investment is needed in facilities, coaching and travel support. Funding is needed that matches the ambition and potential of our athletes. While I welcome the funding we have received for different clubs in west Cork, I ask the Minister of State to look at the likes of Evan Collins and ask why he has to set up a GoFundMe page. Can more be done for the likes of him and other athletes who deserve that extra bit of a push which will get them across the line? I would appreciate if the Minister of State looked into that.

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