Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount of funding that was provided to inter-county GAA players to afford parity of esteem with other elite amateur athletes in 2008; the amount he proposes to provide in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9341/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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An amount of €3.5 million was included in the 2008 budget for the Irish Sports Council in 2008 to fund the Gaelic players grant schemes. The administration of the schemes is a matter for the Irish Sports Council and the Gaelic Athletic Association.

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.