Oireachtas Update- June 2013

Jun 28, 2013

JUNE POLICY UPDATE: OLYMPIC REVIEW AT OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE; ALCOHOL SPONSORSHIP DEBATE RUMBLES ON & MORE

The Irish Sports Council & Olympic Council of Ireland appeared before the Oireatchas Committee on June 19^th to discuss London 2012 and the distribution of funding to sporting organisations. Conversation focused on high performance sport and in particular, the successes of and learnings from London 2012 however issues such as the value for money provided by sport and the positive impact sport has on people’s lives also featured.

ISC Chairman Kieran Mulvey also took the opportunity to ask the Committee Members to do the best they could to protect current budgets highlighting that whilst cuts to funding had not been as deep as they may have been the ISC was now operating close to critical mass and that further cuts would begin to really eat into sporting organisations. Senator Paschal Mooney outlined his view that  tax payer investment in sport should be greater.

Senator Coughlan did suggest that some performances at London 2012 did not represent value for money. It was pointed out that Ireland finished 41^st out of 205 countries at the London Games which, Pat Hickey suggested was a remarkable record for a country the size of Ireland.

Closer co-operation between organisations and athletes North & South, corporate support for the work of the Irish Sports Council, sports capital funding and governance of sporting organisations were amongst the other issues raised. Deputy Noel Mooney and Vice-Chair John O’Mahoney, who was serving as Chair following the promotion of Tom Hayes T.D. to Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, in particular focused on the latter issue.

John Treacy highlighted that the ISC gives governance training to the National Governing Bodies. Kieran Mulvey said that the ISC plays an oversight role in terms of sports governance. He pointed out that the ISC would show sensitivity when working with sports organisations but that if they were unhappy with a governance issue would ensure that it was addressed because of the funding provided to them.

A full transcript of the debate can be viewed here

This Committee hearing followed on from one on May 8^th at which, Minister Michael Ring appeared in advance of the EU Council of Sports Ministers Meeting he hosted in Brussels the following week as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the EU.

Minister Ring noted how much of Ireland’s work on sport during the Presidency had centred on sustainable financing of sport, dual careers for athletes and the integrity of sport including, anti-doping. In this regard, he confirmed that Ireland had secured the attendance of Travis Tygart, Chief Executive of the US Anti-Doping Agency, to address the European Minister of Sport.

Sports Capital Funding, a bid for the Rugby World Cup, governance and anti-doping were amongst the discussion topics raised by the Committee Members.

A full transcript of the debate can be viewed here

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar, was responding to Parliamentary Questions on June 27^th. Sport didn’t feature amongst the priority questions. However, issues raised in written questions included a Rugby World Cup Bid, Sports Capital Funding, Cycling and Sports Facilities.

1.       Rugby World Cup Bid

It was confirmed that the IRFU had recently presented a feasibility study around the potential hosting of the tournament which, was currently being considered. It was noted that the Programme for Government includes a commitment that event tourism will be prioritised so as to ensure major events continue to come to Ireland. Failte Ireland it was stated continues to support the holding of sports and other events that can boost tourism and, where appropriate, will provide advice and assistance to the sporting body which is seeking to secure an international event.

2.    Cycling Facilities

In response to a question on the redevelopment of the toll paths along the Royal and Grand Canal into cycle ways it was confirmed that the  Department is fully supportive of the development of cycle ways along canal paths and recognises the benefits of these initiatives but that  it is a matter for relevant local authorities to progress and submit proposals for the development of such routes to the Department.

3.    Sports Capital Grants

It was confirmed that no decision has been taken on the timing of the next round of the sports capital grant programme and that any such decision would have to be taken in the context of the likely capital provision for the subhead in future years. It was also confirmed that  a review of the 2012 round was underway with a view to simplifying and streamlining the application process.

4.    Sports Facility Strategy

It was stated that a draft National Sports Facilities Strategy was published as a discussion document on the Department’s website in September 2012.  A final strategy, taking account of submissions received, is to be published shortly.

The issue of alcohol sponsorship and sport is continuing to receive significant media attention. It is understood that the Department of Health recently circulated proposals around the issue of alcohol misuse to include a proposed ban on the sponsorship of major events by alcoholic drinks companies to Cabinet for comment. Comments received are currently being considered with the matter due to be discussed again at Cabinet level. In the meantime, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport & Communications Report is due to be launched on July 2^nd.

Details of the Minister Questions can be viewed here

Featured Member: Volleyball Association of Ireland

Jun 28, 2013

Membership Numbers/Participants: 580

Number of Clubs: 16

Number of Participating Schools: 95 Post Primary, 192 Primary

Volleyball Ireland 2012/2013 Highlights:

Premiers Women’s Champions  – Santry

Premiers Men’s Champions  – Aer Lingus

Association Cup Women’s Winners – Santry

Association Cup Men’s Winners – Aer Lingus

What are the key events to look forward to in 2013?

Beach Volleyball Provinces Tour 2013

Key events calendar: Beach Season 2013

Key events calendar: Indoor Season 2013

For match dates and times visit http://www.volleyballireland.com/

How can people get involved in Volleyball in Ireland?

Contact the Office: Tel: 6707165, Email: info@volleyballireland.com

Visit: http://www.volleyballireland.com/

Social Media Channel Links:
Twitter: Beach: https://twitter.com/IreBeachVball

Facebook: Beach: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19432392234

Any interesting facts or statistics for inclusion in our Volleyball Ireland Fact File:

This year is the Volleyball Associations 45th anniversary 1968 – 2013

Coca Cola Thank You Fund- Q&A with Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland

Jun 28, 2013

1. How did the TYF come about and what instigated this approach to CSR and what benefits has Coca-Cola gained from the programme?

The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund was launched, developed and implemented in 2011 to mark our 125th Anniversary celebrations in Ireland. The objective was to mark the occasion by giving something back to the community across the island of Ireland.

Since the launch in 2011 the Fund has donated €250K to 26 organisations across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
€125,000 is invested by the company in the Coca Cola Thank You Fund. This money will be granted to not-for-profit community, voluntary and charitable organisations who have a innovative proposal to encouraging communities to lead more balanced, healthy and active lifestyles. The partners to the Fund are The Federation of Irish Sport, The Wheel and The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), and we are very grateful to them for their support and collaboration.

The Fund has enabled us to connect with communities at grassroots levels, make an appreciable difference to voluntary organisations on the ground, build relationships with our partners, better understand the needs of the sector and engage our employees around what is now our flagship CSR programme.  

2. What sort of projects won the prize last year?

In 2012, the Irish Olympic Handball Association received a grant of €25,000 from The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund. The Irish Olympic Handball Association put their funding towards organising a series of nationwide Street Handball Seminars. The series is still underway and will culminate in a national Street Handball Festival, bringing handball to Irish streets in a high profile and high energy manner.

Our judging panel identified the Irish Olympic Handball Association as one which was superbly positioned to get a large number of young people moving while also encouraging them to have fun!

In addition to the Irish Olympic Handball Association, there were ten other worthy recipients of grants from the Fund. Each of the following organisations received €10,000: Arthritis Ireland, Autism Initiatives NI, Ballina Boxing Club, Ballyduff AFC, CoisCeim Dance Theatre Ltd, Fortwilliam & Macrory Presbyterian Church, Navan Community Ltd, Northern Ireland at Play, Spraoi agus Sport and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

The list of recipient organisations is diverse as we believe there are many ways to encourage active and healthy lifestyles in Irish communities. The key is innovation – each recipient offered an engaging, novel approach to promoting activity, and we hope that the 2013 entrants will put forward similarly engaging proposals.

3. How has the fund progressed this year and are there any changes from last year?

Each year we shape our theme to adapt to the needs and requirements of the applications we have received previously. This year in order to grow awareness of the Fund we are hosting a series of five free information seminars across the island.

As part of the events, Fitness expert and Coca-Cola Thank You Fund judge Karl Henry provided people with advice and inspiration on building more activity in their daily lives.   These events are being held in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast.

4. What advice would you give to any sports organisation looking to win a prize from the TYF?

Taking a balanced approach to nutrition as well as incorporating activity and exercise into daily routines is vitally important for the health of the nation. This year The Fund is specifically looking for interesting new projects which are promoting innovative approaches to nutrition and activity which could have the potential to be scaled and rolled out across numerous communities.

Those looking to apply this year should log onto www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou to examine at the application form. Be creative and think of a way your organisation can encourage your community to get healthy and active. Applications are accepted online up until 19^th July.

5. What is your sporting highlight of the past year?

It has to be the London Olympic Games and the achievements of our Irish boxers out there – they were inspiring!

Read more here about the Coca Cola Roadshow