FAI AbbottstownFIFA has written to each of its 209 member associations, including the FAI and Irish Football Association in Northern Ireland outlining the detail around the bonus payments to be made as a result of surpluses announced at the FIFA Congress earlier in the month.

The bonus will be worth €552,000 for each of the bodies, with €250,000 payable immediately on receipt of the required application forms and the balance due at the start of 2015 after the final accounts are complete on this year’s World Cup in Brazil.

The money has to be used towards long term development of the game as outlined by the strategic plan of each member association.

A minimum of 15% of the money has to go towards development of Women’s football.

Substantial

The amount of money being distributed will make a substantial difference to both associations on the island of Ireland.

It is equivalent to the amount paid by the Government of Northern Ireland to fund the Sport in the Community initiative across Soccer, Rugby and Gaelic Games in the North.

It represents over 1/3rd of the FAI annual surplus from recent years prior to the distribution of development grants.

The money is a welcome boost and some detail of how it will be allocated in Ireland is expected to come at the FAI Annual General Meeting taking place in Westmeath in late July.

That will be the culmination of a week long festival of football across the county and the hosting of the inaugural Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Clubs Conference where representatives of groups from 60 countries around the world will be in attendance.