Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the principle of funding for GAA players in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7016/09]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has had discussions with the Irish Sports Council regarding the principle of funding for GAA players in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7017/09]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has made specific funding available to the Irish Sports Council to provide funding for GAA players in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7018/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 to 299, inclusive, together.

The funding of the Gaelic players' grant schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in the context of the distribution of its budget for 2009. In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC's allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having discussions with the Council on optimum funding options, in order to maintain its existing programmes while building on recent progress. The future funding of the Gaelic players' schemes is being considered in that context.