Written answers

Thursday, 12 December 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Sports Funding

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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317. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide funding directly to soccer clubs that received assistance previously through the programmes of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52482/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.

While funding to the organisation mentioned by the Deputy remains suspended, Sport Ireland is considering how best to fund relevant programmes in a manner that is aligned with the duty to protect public moneys.

As the Deputy will be aware, Sport Ireland has developed an effective intermediary arrangement for the payment of grant funding for the Women’s National Team. Sport Ireland is urgently examining a similar arrangement in relation to the provision of funding for development officers and it is expected that details of that arrangement would be announced shortly.

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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318. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to provide financial support to an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52483/19]

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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Last week, Minister Ross and I announced the payment of 2019 grant funding for the Women's National Football Team, following the development by Sport Ireland of an effective intermediary arrangement for the payment of grant funding for the team. The core objective of the funding is about raising standards and improving the quality of playing and training environments for the Women’s National Football Team.

The grant of €195,000 will be paid by Sport Ireland to BDO who will oversee the disbursement of the funding in line with strict terms and conditions.

It is important to support the players, who have inspired so many young women and girls to get involved in football, as they seek to qualify for the Women’s EURO Championships in 2021.

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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319. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expenditure on high-performance sport in advance of the 2020 Olympics; the level of expenditure planned for the period through to the 2024 Olympics; and the expected performance targets for each competition. [52497/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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State support of €13.5m. is being provided by Sport Ireland to high performance sport in 2019. A provision of €15.5m. has been made for 2020.

The precise levels of expenditure to be allocated for each of the years 2021 to 2024 inclusive will be determined in the context of the totality of my Department's allocation for the years in question. However, progressively increasing allocations for high performance sport are envisaged, as part of the overall planned increased investment in sport, which was signalled in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.

A new High Performance Strategy will shortly be published and will contain details of targets for upcoming Olympic and Paralympic cycles. I will arrange to forward a copy of the Strategy to the Deputy upon its publication.

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