Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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204. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if emergency funding is available to support a club (details supplied). [35925/21]

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, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport (NGB). There is no mechanism by which Sport Ireland can allocate funding outside of this process. Sport Ireland also has responsibility for the recognition of sports in Ireland. Pigeon Racing is not a recognised sport in Ireland and accordingly is not eligible for financial support through Sport Ireland.

In relation to funding provided directly by my Department, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Full details of the Programme can be found at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. The Programme does not fund pigeon racing however.