The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is seeking an increase in the government grant available to inter-county hurlers, camógs and footballers to an average of €2,500 per individual player. The increase would represent just a 1.5% annualised increase since 2008, when the grants were originally introduced a full 17 years ago.
The overall investment being sought by the GPA to help sustain an environment in which players do not have to consider turning their backs on representing their counties is €10 million. This is just 1.6% of the €591 million total economic impact generated by inter-county players annually, as per the Indecon Report on the Social and Economic Impact of GPA Players, which was published earlier this year.
This ask was made to the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers and the Minister and Junior Ministers for Sport Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue in a pre-budget submission in recent weeks.
That submission was published by the GPA this morning.
Based on figures from the 2023 season, the Indecon Report underscores the critical role inter-county players play not just in Gaelic games but in the broader Irish economy. It also reveals the significant growth in economic impact since 2018. Among the key findings, senior inter-county games generated:
- €359 million in direct spending (+51%)
- 4,212 jobs that were directly supported (+53%)
- €62 million in exchequer impact (+49%)
However, in spite of this growth, the level of grant funding for male players remains unchanged since 2018. These figures are as a direct result of inter-county players but it is those players who face the financial burden of the associated costs.
- Players are out of pocket by over €4,600 annually
- Adjusted for inflation, players are €1,499 worse off than in 2018, largely due to out-of-pocket expenses for training and competing at the elite level
- Current GPA members are projected to suffer a cumulative lifetime earnings reduction of €31 million
- Players are also losing out on €3,500 annually in potential overtime earnings
The grant scheme was first introduced to provide state recognition of the economic and social impact of amateur players, in lieu of the professional sportsperson tax relief scheme, for which they are not eligible. The research by Indecon found that if the same tax relief was extended to the professional jobs of inter-county players, it would be worth an average of over €4,000 annually.
Speaking on the publication of the GPA’s pre-budget submission CEO Tom Parsons said; “Since the Indecon Report was published back in February, we have undertaken a series of meetings with the Taoiseach, the relevant Ministers, government and departmental officials, opposition representatives and spokespeople and MEPs, to ensure they are fully informed of the economic value inter-county players are bringing to the table. Most, if not all, were already well aware of the social impact inter-county players have.
“These meetings have been constructive and positive, and we thank all those who have engaged with us and helped us form the ask that we are publishing today in this pre-budget submission.
“The case for an increase in the government grant to €2,500 per player on average could not be clearer. We feel strongly that the time to act is now to show the State truly values our inter-county players.”
The GPA’s Pre Budget Submission can be read HERE.
