Leinster GAA has confirmed to all clubs who have Games Promotion Officers working within their schools and underage sections, that there will be no charges at present.

Clubs must pay half of GPO wages, with most Dublin clubs having their own full time coach. There has been an increase in GPOs in the Leinster commuter belt in Kildare and Meath in the last two years.

A number of clubs in these counties share a GPO between them, with clubs able to get 9, 13, 20 or 40 hours coaching for underage players and coach education per week.

GPO wages are in the region of €36,000 per annum and clubs must proportionally pay up to half that figure based on whether the have a GPO full or part time within their units.

With no GAA activities since 12 March, a number of clubs were concerned about these wage costs with all normal fundraising activities also ceased.

However, Leinster Council wrote to clubs on Thursday indicating that fees are currently frozen for clubs.

“We at Leinster GAA are fully committed to supporting both our staff & clubs during this difficult period. With this in mind, we have taken the decision that there will be no charge on clubs availing of a GPO, from Friday 13th March until Friday 17th April in line with government actions surrounding the spread of Covid 19,” read the letter from Provincial Games Development Managers James Devane and Alan Mulhall.

“Where payment plans are in place covering this period, we will arrange a repayment to clubs in due course. We will be reviewing this decision before the period above expires and will be in communication with all clubs again at that time.”

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