Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the recent round of negotiations between the GPA, the GAA and the Government in regard to funding for player welfare; if he will clarify the amount of money that will be made available for this purpose; when a final decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11733/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I have previously indicated, I have had a number of meetings with both the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the GAA at which player welfare issues for inter-county players were discussed.

At these meetings and in subsequent letters to both the GPA and the GAA, I have set out the position of the Government on this issue. I do not intend to provide direct funding to meet the costs either of direct grants to GAA players or of player welfare policies. This responsibility rests with the GAA in the same manner as similar player welfare issues in other sports must be dealt with by the responsible National Governing Body of Sport. In this context it is the exclusive prerogative of the Association to decide how it manages and funds such issues and I do not intend to influence the GAA as to the nature or cost of any new player welfare supports it may introduce.

I have previously indicated, however, that in the event that agreement is reached between the GAA and the GPA on additional player welfare supports, I would be prepared to provide additional funding to the GAA on an annual basis, either through the existing Sports Capital Programme in respect of prioritised infrastructural projects or through additional funding by the Irish Sports Council in respect of Games development or a combination of both.

Any moneys provided under these programmes would have the effect of freeing up existing moneys within the Association to meet the additional costs to the Association of agreed player welfare issues. While I have indicated that an amount of €5 million could be set aside, it would be premature to lock into any particular funding mechanism or formally commit to any specific amount of such funding until such time as detailed costed proposals have been submitted to me by the GAA under the headings of infrastructure and games development and considered by my Department. As any financial support to be provided by my Department would be considered in the context of the additional costs to the GAA of new player welfare supports, I would have to be satisfied as to the extent and nature of such supports taking into account the ultimate responsibility of the GAA for funding such supports and in the context of the Government's national sports policy.