Sports Funding cuts

Sparks

Depressing news for clubs and associations I'm afraid

Received today from the FIS:

MINISTER CULLEN RESPONDS TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

We have set out below a summary of the Minister’s responses to issues raised in the Dáil on 28th January in relation to Sport.

1. Sports Capital Programme- No Funding for New Projects in 2009

Minister Cullen confirmed that the €56 million outlined in the Department’s 2009 Estimates Budget has NOT been allocated for new applications in 2009, and that there is NO funding for sports capital grant applications in 2009 at this stage. When asked if funding would be restored in 2010, Minister Cullen responded that of course he wanted to do the programme.

The Minister did however say that there had been 10 years of constant non-stop investment in facilities all over the country. He said that he felt that a more strategic approach is needed to ensure that that there is a good ba lance of facilities in all regions around the country. He said he was engaged in developing this strategic process at present.

The Minister noted that the number of projects that have been approved is substantial with 635 approved in 2008 and a further number of projects from previous years which have yet to draw down their funding. He commented that it will be an interesting exercise to see how much of the €56 million allocated will be drawn down this year, stating that with every €1 the State gives triggers approximately €2 locally. Martin Cullen confirmed that there is evidence of clubs having difficulties in being able to underwrite their commitments.

The Minister stated that he did not want to place projects under extra stress to deliver in their areas given that it is likely to be more difficult to put localised funding together than in previous years.

2. Irish Institute of Sport – Institute not to be established as distinct entity

Minister Cullen confirmed that he has decided not to establish the Institute as a subsidiary of the ISC following recommendations from the OECD Report on Public Sector Reform on the number of agencies involved in public administration. It had been the intention to introduce legislation to enable the Irish Sports Council to establish subsidiaries and that the Institute would be given such legal status. Minister Cullen stated that he will be having discussions with the ISC on the best structure for the Institute in planning for the Olympic Games in London in 2012 when the ISC’s Review of the Beijing Olympic Games is completed and he has completed meetings with the relevant sporting bodies about how best to structure on high performance supports delivery mechanisms.

There's further news in there, not quite as bad:

6. London 2012 Olympics- Indecon Economic Evaluation

Martin Cullen stated that he intends to make the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Task Force report available on the Department’s website next week. Cullen stated that he is considering the implementation of the recommendations of the report taking account of the current economic situation and ongoing meetings with the key high performance stakeholders to identify the challenges which must be met in the preparation of our team for the London Games.

The recommendations arose from an audit carried out of high quality sports facilities in Ireland and the findings of a report by Indecon International Economic Consultants on the economic evaluation of the benefit to the island of Ireland of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. The report highlights the opportunities for Ireland from the London 2012 Games in the sport, tourism, cultural and business sectors.

7. Beijing Olympic Games- Review of the Irish performance in Beijing Olympics

Minister Cullen stated that theIrish Sports Council (“ ISC”) review will be published shortly. Cullen stated that he is completing a series of meetings with a number of the key stakeholders involved in the support of elite athletes to discuss how best to build on the success in Beijing and the supports required in terms of coaching, programmes, facilities and funding to ensure the optimum performance of Irish athletes at London 2012.

8. Tax relief for Sporting Bodies- proposal for extension to current expenditure

The Minister in response to a question as to whether discussion had taken place with the Department of Finance regarding the possible extension of the tax relief for sporting bodies to be extended to current expenditure stated that any changes to this scheme or any new provisions of the nature referred to by the Deputy would be a matter for the Minister for Finance to consider in the context of overall taxation policy.

9. National Sports Campus Development- Phase 1 at planning permission stage

Minister Cullen confirmed that no funding has been provided to date to advance the Phase I development during 2009 due to the current difficult economic constraints. He stated he is having discussions with the Minister for Finance to see what funding might be available to move forward with Phase I on a phased basis, as well as having discussions with the NSCDA in this regard.

In relation to further phases of the Campus Cullen noted that he would like to see facilities such as a Velodrome being developed, but that current budgetary constraints do not allow for this at the present time. He said however that the NSCDA has made provision for such facilities in its planning.