“Our research clearly demonstrates that Irish football needs funding, both private and public, to transform our facilities and infrastructure,” said Jonathan Hill, the FAI chief executive. “We believe football facilities in Ireland have been underinvested for the last 25 years and that we have fallen behind our European counterparts.”
FAI chairman Roy Barrett, who currently doubles as chairman of Sherry FitzGerald, repeated the stark warning he relayed to Government Ministers; the spike in population to over six million people by 2050 demands annual investment of €34.5 million from the exchequer to cater for demand. “We have lots of needs in this society, with the housing crisis, the housing needs, but we also have a sporting infrastructure deficit. I do believe putting money into facilities over the next 20 years is the prudent thing to do.”
The €34.5 million a year would come from six “funding vehicles,” which includes the Shared Island Fund and Brexit adjustment reserve. The FAI will generate 20 per cent themselves, €173 million or €11.5 million annually, with help from Uefa and Fifa grants, and private investment. The final 20 per cent would come via local authorities, including the departments of Health and Education.