346. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to assist an organisation (details supplied) to obtain Govern Body status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67939/26]

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).

A key focus of Sport Ireland is to assist NGBs in developing sustainable and effective structures to facilitate increased numbers of participants and volunteers in sport. Central to this focus is Sport Ireland’s policy of recognising, funding and engaging with a single organisation for each sport. In the case of multiple organisations developing and delivering the same, or similar versions of the sport, the Sport Ireland approach is that there should be one strong dynamic voice for these sports.

Rowing Ireland is the Sport Ireland-recognised NGB for rowing and is an all-island body. It is a member federation of World Rowing, and the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) designated International Sports Federation for Rowing. Rowing Ireland is responsible for the delivery and administration of the sport of rowing in Ireland, which extends from grassroots to elite level.

Since its establishment in 1999, Sport Ireland has engaged periodically with the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation (ICRF) with regards to the NGB recognition process. Throughout this engagement, Sport Ireland has recommended that the ICRF should attempt to seek affiliation to or to develop a formal relationship with Rowing Ireland. Sport Ireland has been consistent in its approach having made this initial recommendation formally in writing to ICRF representatives as far back as 2005.