I don’t have the cash to pay grants, says Cullen
The Irish Sports Council (ISC) will today announce their funding for the GAA, FAI and IRFU. However questions over what monies, if any, will be made available for the country’s top hurlers and footballers are likely to dominate this afternoon’s press conference.
The economic downturn and government belt tightening looks set to force a drastic reduction – or possibly a scrappage – of the scheme.
The Minister told the Dáil yesterday that his hands are tied and he is to outline the situation to GPA bosses in the coming weeks. He was responding to questions from Deputy Mary Upton who claimed that: “as matters stand, the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is being left in limbo. ”
The Minister said: “I am sure we would all agree that the contribution that Gaelic players make to sport in this country, particularly the sports in which they participate, is significant.
“The problem I have is that this year I do not have that sum of €3.5m to start with. All I have is the Irish Sports Council (ISC) grant, having regard to the reduction in it compared to last year’s grant. The GPA players rightly say they will take a 10% reduction like everybody else but I do not have the sum of €3.5 million.
“If the money were to come out of the funds, it must come from the GAA or the IRFU and the FAI and they are not disposed towards providing it. The latter two sporting bodies do not see why they should fund players in a different association. They do not see that as being their role. There is no question but there is a difficulty here.
“In light of the current economic constraints and the reduction in the ISC’s allocation of funding in the 2009 Estimates, I am having ongoing 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 and a final decision on the matter will be made following discussions I intend to have with the GPA shortly.”
GAA President Christy Cooney yesterday reiterated that the future of the scheme is a matter for the government and not for his Association.
“We are not involved,’ he stressed. “We were involved the very first day because we supported the players getting grants, but the financial package that was available on the last occasion is a decision for both the Department of Sport and the Sports Council. And I’m sure they will convey to us in due course exactly what they are going to do.
“And as long as it’s there and the government are available to give their money we’ll support that fully.”
Meanwhile Cooney expressed the wish that there won’t be ‘a question mark’ about Galway’s involvement in Leinster after Saturday’s clash with All-Ireland champions Kilkenny.
“I hope they perform. Sadly Antrim didn’t and I don’t know why. But, we must also remember that Dublin are after making significant strides and it was great that there was a big crowd there for the game in Croke Park (played with the Dublin/Meath football game).
“All in all, I don’t think you can judge the inclusion of Galway and Antrim on just one game. It’s going to be judged over the three-year trial period, but I hope it enhances not just the game of hurling, but also the Leinster championship.”
When it was put to him that the various (Hurling Development) committees had more or less run out of options and that an open draw might provide the ultimate solution, Cooney replied: “we’re not going to look at options. We’re going to look at how this goes and hopefully it will work. A lot of effort has gone into it by my predecessor and Paraic Duffy to make it work and let’s see.”
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