Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the names of the athletes being supported for the forthcoming Beijing Olympics and the centre that they are affiliated to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31759/06]

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the role of the new departmental-led committee for the 2012 Olympics as it pertains to the elite athletes that are to perform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Sports Council, which is the statutory body charged with responsibility for the promotion and development of sport in Ireland, is directly responsible with the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Paralympic Council of Ireland and the relevant national governing bodies of sport, in all matters relating to the preparation and participation of Irish competitors at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In July, I was pleased to announce the establishment of the Irish Institute of Sport which is being developed to produce sporting champions for Ireland. The Institute will bring our high performance system to a new level, providing our best athletes with a world-class support structure. The Institute will be completely athlete focused and dedicated to meeting their needs and will help them to achieve their potential in top-level sport.

In the Institute's initial phase, up to 2008, the Sports Council intends that the work will concentrate on the fifteen focus sports whose high performance programmes are funded by the Council. It is envisaged that this will embrace around 90 athletes who are currently graded at the required standard under the Sports Council's International Carding Scheme. I am arranging for the Council to send the names of the athletes concerned to the Deputy.

The role of the London 2012 Olympic Taskforce is to ensure that Ireland can identify and maximise the complete range of opportunities, including the facilities and services available for our top athletes, arising from its proximity to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London 2012.