John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

It is important for the future of these funds or grants. We have talked about percentages, reductions and budgets. The players and the GAA understand that there must be savings and cutbacks. I would like to put down a marker here, namely, that the principle of grants for players be maintained, whatever the budgetary conditions are. Perhaps people at large do not understand that elite senior inter-county players have very little flexibility in their jobs with regard to overtime. A cost analysis was done in recent years that examined how much players lose from their income. It is important we continue to recognise their input. Will maintaining grants in some form be a priority for the Minister in 2009?

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