Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The first time a player puts on the county jersey is always a very proud and special day for that player, his family and the club. For all players that moment happens only after an enormous effort by that person. It may have taken years of training and playing before reaching that memorable day. Playing for any county requires tremendous commitment and sacrifice. The fitness levels of many of our inter-county players is on a par with that of the premiership footballers.

In Ireland we take a very keen interest in how our county hurlers and footballers perform. Many people live for the championship; it is what the summer is all about. With the arrival of the "back door" the dreams of many counties stay alive that little bit longer. While there may be very little between having a successful season and not, the commitment and dedication required are generally the same. Irish people simply love their Gaelic games and very much appreciate the major effort the players make and the great joy and pleasure they bring.

In recognition of that major commitment made by players, a grant scheme for Gaelic players was agreed. Last year was the first year of that initiative. The grant provided €3.5 million to the Irish Sports Council to fund the scheme and it was very well received by the inter-county players with footballers and hurlers from the 32 counties all receiving their share. It took much negotiation to agree the grant scheme and it is pitiful to see and read reports casting a doubt over the future of the scheme. The fact that economic circumstances have changed cannot be used as an excuse for discontinuing the scheme. Many inter-county players are experiencing the realities of the downturn and find themselves out of work. For others in employment it means having to negotiate time off with their employers or having to forgo the opportunity for overtime.

In recognition of the enormous benefit of sport, the Government has in recent years provided enormous resources for sport. Sporting organisations have received reduced funding this year, but funding continues to be provided for many of our sports stars and athletes. In recognition of the economic challenges facing the Government the GPA has indicated its willingness to accept a reduction on the allocation it received last year.

A case has been made that not all county hurlers and footballers can continue to expect the grant, particularly those from the weaker counties. I strongly disagree with this argument. We cannot draw a distinction between the successful and so-called "unsuccessful" ones. Every effort must be made to ensure players get every encouragement and assistance to play regardless of their county. We all love to be part of success. The thought of training with a potential provincial or all-Ireland winning team will always be attractive. For a player to put his heart and soul into training with a team with a poor championship record and little chance of improving on it can often require much more commitment and dedication.

Gaelic games are very special. We are very lucky to have so many people who are prepared to make great personal sacrifices to play for their counties. The grants scheme is simply an acknowledgement of that contribution. Tonight I call on the Minister to find the money to allow the grants scheme to continue. The players do not need this type of unnecessary distraction as they prepare for the championship. I ask the Minister to clarify the matter for us and let the players get on with what they do best - playing our beautiful games.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter on the Adjournment and giving me the opportunity to address the issue.

In the agreement reached in November 2007 between the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Irish Sports Council, the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association, provision was made for the introduction of two schemes to recognise the outstanding contribution of senior Gaelic inter-county players to our indigenous sports, by meeting additional costs associated with elite team performance and to encourage aspiring teams and players to reach the highest levels of sporting endeavour. In return it was agreed that the players would involve themselves in a number of social responsibilities, including working in close co-operation with the local sports partnerships on a programme of visits to schools and club facilities as a part of an overall policy to increase participation in their sports.

It was agreed that the schemes would be funded through the Irish Sports Council and would be administered through the council and the GAA. An amount of €3.5 million was provided to the Irish Sports Council in 2008 to fund the schemes.

I indicated recently in response to parliamentary questions in this House that the drastically changed economic circumstances means that the taxpayer cannot continue to fund the entire cost of schemes such as the Gaelic players schemes as the resources are no longer available. I have discussed this issue with the Irish Sports Council and the GAA. I met Dessie Farrell, chief executive of the GPA together with his colleagues Kieran McGeeney and Donal Óg Cusack on Monday last with a view to agreeing a sustainable new scheme that would recognise the outstanding contribution of Gaelic players to our indigenous sports. We had a robust exchange of views in an honest and open atmosphere. I explained to the GPA the difficulties that both my Department and I faced in the current economic climate. It fully understood and accepted those difficulties. I explained my view that the scheme as originally constituted was no longer viable. However, I am anxious to address the main concern of the players, which is recognition of the contribution that they make to the culture and traditions of this country. In that context I want to put in place a scheme that is sustainable and will provide that recognition.

I want as many sports as possible to be funded within the limits of the resources available to me to ensure the continued strategic development of sport. I would like to see a scheme agreed with the GPA that would reflect that ambition. To put this in context, as the Deputy knows we funded athletes directly. The total cost of the other 16 sports that we fund, which is quite extensive and goes directly to athletes and not NGBs, is €2 million. What I have proposed to the GPA is a very generous and worthy scheme. I hope its members will reflect on that.