Grants scheme gets final approval

GAA:THE GAA has released the final document pertaining to the much-debated Government intercounty players awards scheme, which instead of any direct grant aid, is based on vouched expenses only.

The total funding is €3.5 million, with players able to claim from €1,400 up to €2,500, depending on progress in the championship.

In the carefully crafted nine-page document, the GAA have gone to considerable lengths to avoid any potential conflict with Rule 11 and their amateur status. They have deemed it fully compliant not only with Rule 11 but also with European Law and tax exemption. It received unanimous backing at Monday's meeting of Central Council but still has to go before next month's Congress for final approval.

Yet even the title of the document carefully removes any hint of direct financial aid; it reads: "Annual team performance scheme and annual support scheme for the development of excellence in the indigenous sports of hurling and Gaelic football."

The scheme is based solely on participation in the All-Ireland football and hurling championships, but in two forms: an annual team-performance scheme; and an annual support scheme for the development of excellence.

It will effectively operate by way of refund of eligible expenses in accordance with certain provisions, which essentially means mileage, and only on top of what is already paid out by county boards.

It also recognises that the longer a player's team is involved in the Championship, the greater the expenses incurred.

Although the total of funding available to a team is calculated by reference to 30 players per panel, it is recognised there may be more than 30 players per panel, and there may be players whose participation on the panel is only for part of a season.

A new National Scheme Committee will be responsible for its administration, therefore removing any involvement of county boards. This new committee will comprise three nominees of Central Council, one of whom shall be the chairperson, and two nominees of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

The €3.5 million in Government funding is guaranteed for 2008, and any amount unclaimed by players can be claimed by a team-development fund. Dual players must select one code only.

Also central to the scheme is a new team-development plan, to be adopted by each county, allowing the National Scheme Committee keep track of player requirements such as attendance at training, fitness progress, injury rehabilitation, and compliance with the anti-doping code.

Every senior county panel, at every level, must be committed to this development plan.

In presenting the document at Croke Park yesterday, both GAA president Nickey Brennan and director general Paraic Duffy voiced their strong support.

"It may be stating the obvious, but this goes back to 2002, when then Finance minister Charlie McCreevy introduced tax benefits for players in other codes," said Brennan, "and then GAA president, Seán McCague, pointed out the unfairness of that scheme given the part played by GAA players.

"During the intervening years the GPA took that challenge forward, and got agreement with another former Minister, John O'Donoghue, for an amount of money for what was termed GAA grants. At all stages this was Government money, not GAA money."

Duffy was adamant the scheme was compliant with Rule 11, European Law, and tax exemption:

"We sought legal opinion on all three, including senior counsel opinion. The issue of European Law has been raised in the media on numerous occasions, but on legal advice there is no issue with this, we're quite happy with that."

Duffy was also satisfied the expense-based scheme was the most practical for both administration and distribution purposes:

"Well mileage is probably the one most players will claim. And it's easily done. But there are other ways, and we've been in discussion with revenue on that. At the moment mileage is the biggest single one.

"But perhaps dietary provisions would be another one. Essentially it could be any expense that's not covered by the county board. Full-time athletes are allowed things like living expenses, which doesn't come into play here, because our players are amateur sportsmen.

"But the expenses model is the one followed by existing Irish Sports Council schemes, and also funded by the Government."