The Government has agreed a reduced Inter County Players Support scheme with the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association.  The move has been welcomed by all sides and will see a figure of €900,000 disbursed to players in each of 2013 and 2014.
That figure is down 10% on the last agreed sum and from a figure of around €1.1 million in the years before that.  It will again be paid via the Irish Sports Council and will lead to sums of between €400 and €700 being paid to senior inter county footballers and hurlers.
The payments recognise the contribution players make to the economic and social fabric of the nation and particular reference was made yesterday to team and player invovement with The Gathering.
The GAA has an agreement in place with the Gaelic Players Association, running over an initial five years which covers the payment of the grants, a commitment to player welfare on the side of the Association and to the amateur status of the game on the players side.
Minister of State for Sport Michael Ring, TD said at the announcement of the two year deal that he “accepted the principle behind the Scheme and felt it was important that it be continued in some form.”
“I am delighted that the Irish Sports Council will be able to put in place a renewed scheme with the GAA and GPA. Crucially it will cover the period until the end of 2014 which provides stability and certainty to the Scheme”
“It is of great importance that our county hurlers and footballers are recognised formally given the unique contribution they make as elite amateur athletes,” added GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell.   “I’d like to pay tribute to Minister Ring, his Department officials and the Irish Sports Council for their continuing support for this Scheme.”
The agreement also triggers payment of last year’s funds which had not yet been formally approved.
The Grant scheme is separate to the principal funding of the GPA through the GAA for the provision of programmes and schemes to assist players.
The GPA has also established a number of commercial partnerships with companies including PwC and Aer Lingus.
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