€100m due for projects over 3 years

INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS:THE GAA yesterday unveiled the up-to-date situation in the disbursement of infrastructure grants, including revenue from the playing of rugby and soccer internationals at Croke Park.

Whereas full details of the allocations won’t be available until the annual financial report is published next month, a media conference was informed of the projects currently under consideration for funding approval.

According to association president Christy Cooney, a sum of “close to €100 million” will be channelled into development projects over a three-year period when all funding from national, provincial, county and club sources are taken into account – expenditure that he said would create “significant employment opportunities”.

Croke Park would normally provide between €6 million and €8 million in funding on an annual basis for county ground and club developments, but the total rental from leasing to the FAI and IRFU, expected to top €35 million, have been treated as a separate capital investment fund.

Of this figure, €26 million is being earmarked for “major national capital projects”, €8 million for county and club projects (ie €250,000 per county) and €1 million for handball, camogie and women’s football.

Ninety-eight capital projects have been identified and, to date, €8 million disbursed.

According to Séamus McCloy, chair of the National Infrastructure and Safety Committee, “within 18 months we will see the benefit rolled out with proper facilities in every county in Ireland”.

Asked did this funding justify the decision to relax the prohibition on other sports being played at Croke Park, a decision taken at congress five years ago but opposed at the time by Cooney, the president said: “Of course it does, but above all it shows that the commitment made to reinvest that money in the association has been honoured.”

Major Projects

Approved (total €13,300,000)

Clare Training Centre (TC), Tulla

Limerick TC, Rathkeale

Waterford TC, Carriganore

Tipperary TC, Dr Morris Park

Tyrone TC, Garvaghy

Cavan TC, Breffni

Antrim TC, Dunsilly

Derry TC, Owenbeg

Louth TC, Darver

Undergoing Appraisal

Donegal TC, Convoy

Kildare TC, Hawkfield

Cork TC, Showgrounds

Mayo TC, Ballyhaunis

Dublin TC, Rathcoole

Dublin TC, Clontarf

Westmeath TC, Mullingar