Sports Council announces more GAA funding
The Irish Sports Council has today made additional funding to the tune of €3.59m available to the GAA.
The breakdown of the funding is, as follows:
- €1.25m of will go towards developing hurling;
- €1m to support Gaelic Games in Dublin;
- €1.34m towards the cost of the GAA's Grassroots to National programme (GNP).
The annoucement was made at Croke Park this afternoon as the Association launched its new 'GO Games' initiative which seeks to maximise participation and optimise playing standards amongst children in schools and clubs.
The games, in both hurling and football, are known as "First Touch" (for seven- and eight-year-olds), "Quick Touch" (for ages nine and 10), and "Smart Touch" (for 11/12-year-olds).
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr John O'Donoghue TD, said: "Today's allocation to the GAA brings to €9.06m the total invested in the GAA from 2001 to 2005 under the Special Budget Measure aimed at increasing participation in sport by young people.
"I would like to take this opportunity to commend the GAA for its excellent and far reaching participation programmes, which are improving the sporting lives of many young people all over the country."
GAA President Sean Kelly added: "We are deeply indebted to the Government and the Irish Sports Council for their ongoing support of initiatives such as the Grassroots to National programme.
"Through their support, they have recognised the importance of sport for society and we hope that their contributions will help us to consolidate the position of the GAA within Irish society in performing a service for the countless thousands of people who play, coach, support and enthusiastically follow our games across the country."
