Sport Ireland is currently withholding 25 per cent of its funding from Cycling Ireland unless and until the national governing body makes further changes in the wake of the recent controversies it became embroiled in.
The revelation that Sport Ireland, which is Cycling Ireland’s main funding body, is effectively holding back funds was not known before now. It has emerged just before Cycling Ireland officials were due to appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media this afternoon, Wednesday.
However, it also appears the delegation from Cycling Ireland to appear before the committee will be compromised of acting president Tom Daly and fellow board member Helen Kerrane.
Both Mr Daly and Ms Kerrane were only appointed to their positions in recent months, after the controversies engulfed the organisation.
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It emerged, in increments late last year and early this year, that Cycling Ireland had used false quotations to apply for Department of Sports capital grants in 2020. The cycling body was suspended from applying for any further grants for a year.
However, that suspension was already fully served - expiring in October 2021 - before the media learned of the controversy.
Separately, a major dispute broke out, over a period between late last year and early this year, over plans by Cycling Ireland to fund a small group of riders – or academy – within the EvoPro Racing cycling team.
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Some board members were concerned about the level of information shared, or not shared, with them about the proposal and the possible costs involved. The plan was eventually discontinued and the board of Cycling Ireland has since been reconfigured.
Sport Ireland has released 50 per cent of its funding to Cycling Ireland but 25 per cent is being withheld until more of the KOSI report recommendations are complete, Cycling Ireland said in a statement on Monday.
The remaining 25 per cent will be released later this year, which Cycling Ireland has said is in line with the manner, and timetable, the funding is normally released.
"Cycling Ireland is pleased to provide a positive update on the actions undertaken regarding the 2021 KOSI Audit Report’s recommendations. Having invested significant time, energy and resources, 14 of the 17 actions are now implemented and the remaining three are on target to be completed by September 2022," Cycling Ireland said today.
"The recommendations relate to reforms in the areas of culture and integrity; grant processes; procurement; external review; investigations; separation of duties; finance function review; organisational review; internal audit; and IPA and Pulse Audit recommendations.
"Based on the progress made to date, Sport Ireland has released 50 per cent of Cycling Ireland’s 2022 core funding, with 25 per cent being withheld until further recommendations are completed. Aligned to previous years, the remaining 25 per cent is anticipated to be released following an AGM in November."
We'll have more later.
