533. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether there are funding streams available for exceptional athletes in sports that are not represented by a national governing body in Ireland, such as jiu-jitsu; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45102/24]

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my 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 across its various programmes. Sport Ireland channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of sport (NGB). There is no mechanism by which Sport Ireland can allocate funding outside of this process.

Sport Ireland provides funding directly to athletes under a variety of schemes, including the International Carding Scheme. These are NGB-led funding schemes which serve to support athletes in achieving podium success at European and world level.

Under the International Carding Scheme, Sport Ireland provides direct funding to athletes who are competing in Olympic and Paralympic events only. This is a criteria-based scheme, based on performance, and involves the setting of sport specific standards through a collaborative process between Sport Ireland and the NGBs.

Jiu-jitsu is not a Sport Ireland-recognised NGB and therefore is not eligible for funding through Sport Ireland. Unfortunately, there is no discretionary funding available to this Department through which financial assistance could be provided to athletes in sports that are not represented by a national governing body in Ireland, such as jiu-jitsu.

Sport Ireland operates a formal recognition process for organisations wishing to become eligible for support as Governing Bodies of Sport. The recognition criteria establish minimum requirements for all organisations wishing to apply for recognition and, in turn receive support and, where additional Sport Ireland criteria may be met, financial investment from Sport Ireland. Further information on the Recognition Process and Criteria is available on the Sport Ireland website here. Sport Ireland can be contacted directly by e-mail at recognition@sportireland.ie or by telephone on 01-8608800.