Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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335. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a full list of the funding streams available for community sports initiatives will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12585/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the allocation of funding under its various programmes. Sport Ireland channels its funding through the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport.

I am arranging for Sport Ireland to provide the Deputy with details of the funding streams available for community sports initiatives. Please contact my office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

In relation to capital supports, my Department's Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Any organisation that has not already registered with the Department and wishes to apply for funding must first register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie . The most recent round of the programme closed on March 1st last and received 3,106 applications.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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336. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the criteria used to determine access to the high performance programme as operated by an organisation (details supplied); the process used to determine the potential cycling athletes for Paris 2024; the breakdown of funding to the organisation in 2020; the way it was distributed by training camps, salaries and competitions at junior and senior level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12594/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Sport Ireland provides funding to the organisation referred to by the Deputy to support the operation of its high performance programme. There are two streams of funding allocated by Sport Ireland which are central to the delivery of the organisation's programme including High Performance Programme Funding and the International Carding Scheme.

High Performance Programme Funding is provided to support a range of activities including salaries, training camps and competitions at junior and senior level, pathway development, and performance services. In 2020, the organisation received €440,000 in High Performance Programme Funding.

The International Carding Scheme provides financial support to athletes for their training and competition programmes. The primary purpose of this funding is to support Irish athletes in reaching finals and achieving medals at European, World, Olympic and Paralympic level.

The International Carding Scheme is criteria based requiring athletes to achieve standards set forth by their NGB in agreement with Sport Ireland. These standards are based on performances achieved at international competitions. Athletes are considered and approved for funding by Sport Ireland based on applications received from the organisation. As part of the International Carding Scheme Sport Ireland allocated €426,000 to the organisation, which was made up of €224,000 for their Olympic Programme and €202,000 for their Paralympic Programme.

Further to those listed on the International Carding Scheme, Sport Ireland recognises that there will be other athletes who will require support from the NGB, specifically those who are tracking to compete in Paris 2024. Sport Ireland has recently engaged with the organisation who have confirmed their intention to establish an alternative mechanism of support for these athletes which may include service provision, training camp and competition exposure, or direct athlete funding through alternative resources. The organisation will be responsible for developing this mechanism of support recognising it must be sport specific and reflective of the capacity within the NGB.

In 2021 the organisation is projecting an expenditure of €583,500 on International Competitions, Training Camps and Support Services for all athletes (Senior, Junior, Youth & U23). It is proposed to allocate 2/3 of this support to Senior Athletes with 1/3 allocated to Junior, Youth & U23. This is broadly consistent with what was planned for 2020 notwithstanding the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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337. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding her Department provides to Paralympic athletes who have qualified for the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12648/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The process for qualification to the Paralympic Games is ongoing. To date, 5 athletes have achieved automatic quota places for the Paralympic Games through World Championship performances. Further qualification will be secured through ranking results and slots awarded by the International Paralympic Committee to Ireland. It is anticipated that the final team size will be between 25-30 athletes.

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including high performance sport and its funding allocations. It provides a range of supports to Paralympics Ireland to support their high performance programmes and athletes. Specifically, in respect of athlete support, the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme provides financial assistance to athletes for their training and competition programmes. The primary purpose of this funding is to support Irish athletes in reaching finals and achieving medals at European, World, Olympic and Paralympic level. The International Carding Scheme is criteria based requiring athletes to achieve standards set forth by their NGB, in agreement with Sport Ireland.

In 2021, Sport Ireland will provide €620,000 in direct athlete supports to para athletes in a range of sports through the International Carding Scheme.

In addition Sport Ireland (through the Sport Ireland Institute) will also provide other non-financial supports in the following areas:

- Sport Ireland Institute & Paralympics Ireland have extended their Games support partnership to cover the postponed Games. This has confirmed the appointment of five specific Institute practitioners to the Irish Paralympic Team covering S&C, Nutrition, Physiology, Transition support and Performance Analysis.

- Sport Ireland are currently working with Paralympics Ireland to identify and resource a further addition to their medical staff for the Games arising from the extensive COVID-19 protocols in place.

- 301 direct support days to Para sports was provided by the Sport Ireland Institute Team in 2020 representing 13.87% of the total resource.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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338. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some Irish Olympic athletes have been forced to fundraise to supplement their training and participation in the games; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12649/21]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to fundraising activity recently publicised by Paralympics Ireland.

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including high performance sport and its funding allocations. It provides funding to Paralympics Ireland to support its administration and operational costs. Sport Ireland also provides High Performance Programme funding to Paralympics Ireland to support the delivery of its para programme, which supports Irish athletes in reaching finals and achieving medals at European Championships, World Championships, and the Paralympic Games.

In addition to the annual funding allocations, Sport Ireland has provided Paralympics Ireland with a package of funding for the Paralympic Games throughout the Tokyo cycle. Due to Covid-19 it is reasonable to anticipate that further costs will arise for Paralympic Ireland in 2021 recognising that additional protective measures are required for Team Ireland. These costs relate to the necessity for single room occupancy, private transportation, additional Covid-19 officers, and a PCR testing programme. In this regard, Sport Ireland will run an extensive funding process for high performance sport in 2021. This process will determine the immediate and confirmed costs to Paralympics Ireland, which are reasonable and beyond the funding previously provided to address Games costs. This commitment for further funding has been formally communicated to Paralympics Ireland

To enhance the capacity and capability of high performance programmes, Sport Ireland encourages National Governing Bodies including Paralympics Ireland to establish robust business plans which are underpinned by stable and diverse income streams. Paralympics Ireland have a clear target for sponsorship and fundraising income in 2021, which will supplement funding received through Sport Ireland.

Throughout the Tokyo cycle 2017-2020, and in year 1 of the Paris cycle which coincides with the rescheduled Paralympic Games 2021, Sport Ireland has provided €7,722,500 in funding to Paralympics Ireland. The table below details these funding streams and associated allocations.