Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will clarify the funding position for the Irish Institute of Sport as well as its future status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16509/09]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will confirm the legal status of the Irish Institute of Sport in view of the fact that no enacting legislation has been introduced; if such legislation will be introduced; if this body will exist as a unit of the Irish Sports Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16364/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose taking Questions Nos. 87 and 97 together.

In 2006, the Government approved the establishment of the Irish Institute of Sport. The Institute has been working with the national governing bodies of sport and the elite athletes in ensuring that they have available to them the most up-to-date supports as they prepare to represent Ireland at international events and the Olympic Games.

The budget for the Institute in 2009 which is provided by the Irish Sports Council from its annual budget is €1.5 million.

As Deputies will be aware, it was the intention to introduce legislation to enable the Irish Sports Council to establish subsidiaries and that the Institute would be given such legal status. However, as I indicated to Deputies in January, in responding to the OECD Report on Public Sector Reform and in particular to its recommendations on the number of agencies involved in public administration, I have decided not to establish the Institute as a subsidiary of the ISC. I will therefore not be proceeding with legislation to enable the ISC to establish subsidiaries.

As regards the status of the Institute, it is functioning under the aegis of the Irish Sports Council and at this stage I have no intention of changing this arrangement.