By Michael Scully

Copyright belfastlive

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is calling for an increase in the average Irish Government grant for inter-county players to €2,500, which would result in an annual expenditure of €10m. This would represent a 1.5% annualised increase since the grants were introduced in 2008. At present, players receive an average of €1,400 and the scheme costs €5.4m per year. The GPA is requesting this investment as part of a budget submission to the Government, with the aim of creating an environment where players don’t have to consider giving up representing their counties. They argue that the €10m outlay is just 1.6% of the €591 million total economic impact generated by inter-county players each year. The case was presented to the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers and the Minister and Junior Ministers for Sport Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue in a recent pre-budget submission. According to the Indecon Report on the Social and Economic Impact of GPA Players, published earlier this year, players are out of pocket by over €4,600 annually, reports the Irish Mirror . The report suggests that, when adjusted for inflation, players are €1,499 worse off than they were seven years ago, largely due to out-of-pocket expenses for training and competing at the elite level. It also states that current GPA members are projected to suffer a cumulative lifetime earnings reduction of €31 million and players are also missing out on €3,500 annually in potential overtime earnings. Research by Indecon has revealed that if the professional sports tax relief scheme, which currently excludes players, was extended to their professional roles, it could be worth an average of over €4,000 annually. GPA CEO Tom Parsons stated: “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.”