Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As a State, we are miles behind our EU counterparts in supporting the development of domestic football. Our League of Ireland academies lack funding, lack modern facilities and lack full-time staff. Irish football academies have just ten full-time staff covering them. In comparison, Portugal has 315 staff dedicated to its academies. It is little wonder Portugal is sixth in FIFA rankings. It sees the reward for investing in its young players and domestic league. If we want to be serious about our men's Irish teams ever again competing on the world stage, we need to invest in our footballing academies. It is not a handout; it is an investment. Given that the Government coffers are overflowing, will the Government invest in supporting Irish football and Irish footballing academies?

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