45 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for Education the remit, if any, of her Department and her views in relation to the fact that most public money given to sport benefits men; and the Government's plans, if any, there are to secure gender balance in this regard. [12414/97]

Gender equality was one of the basic principles underpinning the report of the Sports Strategy Group Targeting Sporting Change in Ireland. The recommendations of the report are now being implemented in my Department and the commitment to gender equality is being given expression in the establishment of a special committee of the Irish Sports Council to examine the role of women in sport including participation, coaching, employment, sponsorship and the media.

Annual funding is provided by my Department to national governing bodies of sport catering specifically for women's sport as well as to those governing bodies which provide for both women and men. Funding is also allocated to sports projects initiated by the Irish Countrywomen's Association, while in 1996 a special grant of £100,000 was paid to Cumann Camógaíochta na nGael towards the provision of helmets.