Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I see real potential here as to how we can develop an academy system. Obviously, we have to make sure we develop it in a way that is sustainable and makes the biggest impact. The plans are not there yet as to how exactly that would work. I want to see how they would work. We have given some funding to the FAI to do an audit and to put an administrator in place, to see how we can step that out. Then, as to how we follow through from a Government point of view, I want to see real results in that regard and liaise closely with the FAI on the exact plans as to how this might be stepped out.

The Government has massively committed to grassroots sports and to seeing people being able to participate at this level, as well as to excel and develop their full potential. I refer as well to the undoubted potential we have as a soccer nation to improve even further and to see the pipeline coming through, right up to the League of Ireland level and internationally from there on. This is something I want to work on with everyone in soccer and with the FAI to ensure we develop this potential.

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