Minister warns FAI funding could be 'crushed' if it refuses to engage with Oireachtas committee
It is estimated that 40 jobs will be created by the funding for League of Ireland academies. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Minister for sport Patrick O’Donovan warned the FAI that if it does not engage with the Oireachtas committee on sport, the organisation risks having its funding cut.
“We have an agreement between the FAI, the government and Sport Ireland,” the minister said.
“It's very clear the objectives that are laid out in it. One of the things that is just not negotiable is not engaging with the people's representatives in the Oireachtas.
“I don't care what the organisation is that is receiving funding from our department, whether it's under the areas of arts, culture, media, communications and sport. If you're receiving public funds, you must engage with the relevant Oireachtas committee.
“And if you don't, you are on a collision course with me and you're on a trajectory to having your funding crushed.”
League of Ireland academies received funding of €3m in Tuesday’s budget. That was below the €4.45m which had been sought by the FAI. Though, it was confirmed on Tuesday that it will be a recurring investment. Had the FAI's request been met in full, it would have created 81 jobs. Minister of state Charlie McConalogue estimated it will now be closer to 40 jobs. The funds will be administered through Sport Ireland.
“It's a very, very big step forward and I think it's a really exciting day for football in Ireland,” said the minister. “I think it's a big vote of confidence as well by the government in the future of football in Ireland.
“We've been engaging very closely with the FAI over the last period of time. Indeed, in last year's budget there was just under €1m secured and coming out of that there was an audit carried out in relation to the current status of academies across the country.
“To identify what's currently in place and also to identify what the challenge is and also to put in place a plan in relation to how we can work to meet that.
“This is a very significant commitment now when you look at it and also significant in the context of the sports budget. If you look at the total increase today, for example, to Sport Ireland, it's just over €10.5m. And out of that €10.5m, €3m is going to soccer academies. The government is making a choice to back academy football, to back youth football, to back the future of Irish football.”
Minister McConalogue added that the State will be working to ensure funding comes back into academies through players who are sold to clubs in England and beyond.
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