Minister Dermot Ahern announces funding of €75,000 for the GAA Youth Development programme in North America

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., has today announced funding of €75,000 for the GAA Youth Development programme in North America. 

Announcing the grant, the Minister said:

“I am delighted to be able to support the exciting GAA Youth Development Programme in North America.  Over many years, GAA clubs throughout the world have helped their members and supporters to maintain and enhance their links with Ireland.  Very importantly also, they have helped sustain a strong sense of community among our people overseas and their families, especially in the United States.

Recent years have seen a significant decrease in emigration. While this has impacted on the number of Irish-born players, the GAA are actively seeking to nurture and develop the  growing interest in Gaelic games amongst young men and women of Irish descent. This has huge potential for the future. 

In summary, I see this imaginative initiative making a distinctive and exciting contribution to Irish community solidarity and enhancement in the United States in the years ahead and the Government are delighted to give their full backing to it.

Note to editors:

For further information on the North American GAA County Board: www.nagaa.org

ENDS +++
28 December 2006
Press Office