FINALLY, IT seems, the GAA have agreed a mechanism to distribute the long-heralded Government intercounty player funds, and it appears straightforward enough - at least on paper.

But even assuming this mechanism is approved at next month's GAA Congress, with only a simple majority required, the true effectiveness of the scheme will only be known after it gets up and running.

Con Hogan, Tipperary's Central Council representative, and charged with overseeing the document process, made a presentation on the mechanism in Croke Park yesterday. He said:

"Essentially, this gives effect to the Government's desire to recognise the contribution of senior inter-county players and allows the Irish Sports Council to introduce a scheme to do that, and also recognise that there are additional costs associated with participation, and the longer a team is in the championship, the higher that cost is. But a key part of it as well is to encourage aspiring teams at every level, to improve.

"We were mandated by Central Council in February of 2007 to pursue this in such a way that would not affect our amateur status, and would not involve the expenditure of any GAA money. And not affect Government funding of any other GAA programmes, such as coaching and games development . . . that was approved in principle in December."

The apparent simplicity of the scheme is that it is based on vouched expenses only: "These are player expenses, additional to those paid by the county committee," said Hogan. "There is a cap on our expenses at the moment, but this will allow players to claim the difference between our level, right up to what is allowable by the revenue, for tax exemption. Any unclaimed money that can't be claimed that way will go into the team development fund, and be used for the implementation of the development plan.

"We've also got very strong legal opinion that our programme is totally compliant with Rule 11. It's to do with filing of vouched expenses, and any unclaimed expenses would go into a development fund, and would not be claimable by any individual.

"Again, based on very strong legal opinion, it is compliant with European Law. It cannot be described as remuneration for services rendered. In other words, there is no contract. And it's also tax compliant."

The mechanism is based on both an annual team performance scheme and annual support scheme for the development of excellence. The annual team performance scheme will be based on teams' performance during the championships and will apply to the 12 football teams qualifying for the third round of the All-Ireland qualifier series or reaching a provincial final and the 12 hurling teams in the MacCarthy Cup.

The annual support scheme for the development of excellence will be based on the achievement of standards and performance-based criteria designed to raise/maintain the levels of preparation of the teams and individuals. This scheme shall apply to teams participating in the championships, but not qualifying for the team performance scheme.

It was also pointed out that the GPA acknowledge the schemes shall only apply for so long as Government funding is available.

Grants Scheme

Government-funded schemes for the support & development of excellence in the indigenous sports of hurling and Gaelic football

Aims

To allow the Irish Sports Council to introduce schemes to recognise the outstanding contribution of Gaelic inter-county players to our indigenous sports; to meet additional costs associated with elite team performance; to encourage aspiring teams and players to reach the highest levels of sporting endeavour.

Eligibility

Schemes apply to senior intercounty teams only. Team eligibility based on panel being committed to a development plan

Financial aspects

Individual:Vouched expenses only; consistent with Rule 11. Variable cap on a sliding scale increasing with continuing involvement in championship.

Squad:Balance to a team development fund

Administration

National Scheme Committee (NSC) comprising of: three representatives of Ard Comhairle, two GPA representatives. One of the AC representatives to chair the committee. All reimbursements will be made by the NSC. No money will be paid out at County Committee level. NSC will liaise with the team committee, i.e. the county panels' finance sub-committee or other nominated body or person designated by NSC

How the schemes will work

NSC to publish template of development plan based on this; team committee will adopt squad development plan requirements of players to comply with standards: *attendance at training; *personal improvement; *compliance with anti-doping rules; *coaching and games development and games promotion.

A player will be entitled to claim a refund of eligible expenses in the same way he currently claims expenses from his county committee.

Expenses will be additional to those paid by county committee. Unclaimed expenses to be paid to the team development fund and used in the implementation of the team development plan

Levels of funding

Current total available funding is €3.5 million. Expenses refundable to individuals will be on a sliding scale, increasing with continuing involvement in championship - €1,400 to €2,500. Funding available to squad will be based on 30X individual funding i.e. €42,000 to €75,000.

Although squad funding is based on 30 players there may be more than 30 on the panel.

Specialist legal opinion

Compliant with Rule 11, compliant with European Law and cannot be described as remuneration for services rendered. Tax compliant.