Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

451. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment whether there are any funding streams available to young people playing darts on the world stage. [57252/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sport Ireland, which is funded by this 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 under its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body (NGB).

As there is no Sport Ireland-recognised NGB for darts there is no mechanism by which darts organisations/clubs or players can secure funding from Sport Ireland. There is no discretionary funding available to my Department through which financial assistance can be provided to dart players or other individual athletes.

Sport Ireland operates a formal recognition process for organisations wishing to become eligible for support as NGBs. The recognition criteria set out the minimum requirements for NGB recognition and the additional criteria that may need to be met to receive financial investment from Sport Ireland.

Any organisation wishing to gain Sport Ireland recognition as an NGB is advised to engage directly with Sport Ireland which can advise as to the application process. Sport Ireland can be contacted directly in this regard via e-mail at or by telephone on 01-8608800.