Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. I was involved with some members of the FAI, including Packie Bonner and its president, Gerry McAnaney. I have read the report on the UEFA model and it is excellent. As the Deputy said, it sets out funding structures that parallel social outcomes. Where there is a front-loading of investment from other sources, the State oversees the outcomes to that end and then provides the end funding when there is delivery. I was very impressed by it. As the Deputy said, it has worked in other places that have tried it. I have spoken to the officials about it and certainly we will be exploring the opportunities it presents for football and for sporting investment more generally. It offers a serious potential to leverage funding into sport beyond our traditional programmes, which involve the State front-loading with the balance of investment from others. However, this model offers other opportunities. Where the metrics are clear and outlined, we should embrace it. We will be exploring what is possible and I am open to that. The Deputy was right in what he said. He set out potential achievements in the area of health, such as reducing obesity levels or improving physical health, or with regard to literacy levels, mental health, or education and employment. It is a new funding model that offers serious potential for Ireland.