Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

We have had a number of engagements with Sport Ireland on the proposal for academy footballers. There is an obvious need there, particularly post-Brexit. Previously, a lot of our under-18 players went to Britain but they can no longer go until they are 18 years of age. We have seen the benefits of that as many of the young players who would otherwise have been across the water are in the League of Ireland now. It does bring challenges regarding the academy system. The Government has so far committed up to €1 million to conducting the audit and a full assessment of the landscape of the academy system currently in place. We will be informed by that audit as to the next steps. Anything we will consider doing would be subject to budgetary engagement as well. That is where it sits at the moment.