Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is aware that darts players cannot access funding through Sports Ireland. [63077/25]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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).

There is no discretionary funding available to my Department through which financial assistance can be provided to darts 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.

Decisions relating to NGB recognition are a matter for Sport Ireland and I have no role in the process.

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 recognition@sportireland.ie or by telephone on 01-8608800.