Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I do not doubt for a second that we want sport to be funded and to continue in this country but the League of Ireland was in a precarious place long before the pandemic hit and it is now at a point where we do not know whether there will be a League of Ireland next season. I have spoken to Shelbourne and Bohemians, which are in my constituency, and to clubs throughout Dublin. They have told me that they have asked for a financial package of approximately €5 million which will keep them afloat into 2021 and ensure that they can keep their staff on so they do not need to avail of the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP. Every club has approximately ten staff members so a PUP for each employee would stretch into the millions if the payment is available for another year. The clubs are asking for €3.5 million to €5 million. Can we commit that amount to the League of Ireland to ensure it continues into 2021?

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