Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 713: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has plans to ensure that Ireland's team at the 2008 Olympics achieves success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, works in partnership with the Irish Institute of Sport, the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), the Paralympic Council of Ireland (PCI) and the relevant governing bodies of sport in the preparation and participation of Irish competitors at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Significant progress has been made to date by all the agencies in preparation for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympic Games and planning is well underway in the lead up to the Games.

The Olympic and Paralympic Councils of Ireland are the agencies responsible for the organisation and participation of the Irish teams at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Irish Sports Council provides annual funding to both Councils for administration and programme costs aimed specifically at preparation for the Games. The OCI and PCI have responsibility for a number of areas including team manager training programmes, preparation visits to Beijing by key personnel, heat and acclimatisation strategy, the organisation of multi-sport camps in advance of the Games.

Primary responsibility for the preparation and performance of individual athletes rests with the relevant National Governing Body or, in the case of Paralympic sports, the Paralympic Council of Ireland.

Arising from the Sydney Review 2001 and the Athens Review 2005, the Irish Sports Council has introduced many initiatives and programmes to enhance the preparations of Ireland's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. These include the introduction of structured performance planning for each Olympic and Paralympic sport, the introduction of professional coaching and management structures within the sports with the appointment of full-time performance personnel, the review and subsequent revision of the International Carding Scheme, the establishment of the Irish Institute of Sport which has a brief to drive excellence in the development of high performance sport and support services for athletes, the introduction of professional administrative and support structures in the Olympic and Paralympic Councils of Ireland and the establishment of Olympic and Paralympic Performance Committees to ensure optimum cooperation in the preparation and performance of Irish teams.

Next month, I expect to announce the Irish Sports Council's package of investment in high performance sport. This comprehensive package will cover every aspect of Olympic and Paralympic preparation and will continue to build the infrastructure of elite sport.