The Gaelic Players' Association (GPA) has asked Government for an extra €700 per player a year in support to help with what their CEO Tom Parsons described as "cost of living pressures".
Inter-county players and representatives from the GPA met with Minister for Sport Patrick O'Donovan on Wednesday to seek the increase as part of the association's pre-budget engagement with Government.
In total the GPA is seeking an additional €2.8m investment, which would bring support up from €1,800 to €2,500 per player.
"Government funding is an important recognition of the extraordinary commitment made by inter-county players to our national games," said Parsons.
"The findings presented to the Minister today give a clear picture of the reality behind that commitment.
"At a time when the cost of living pressures are bearing down on players, Government has an opportunity to deliver something immediate and tangible for the current generation. We are asking for an additional €700 a year per player, bringing the support to €2,500.
"In the overall scheme of things it is a modest increase, but for players meeting the costs of petrol, food, travel and the everyday demands of representing their counties, it would be meaningful. It would also be an important statement of parity of esteem and recognition of the commitment required."
The GPA also presented Minister O'Donovan with the latest findings from its forthcoming 2026 annual member survey.
The survey compiled 3,555 responses across the four codes. It found that 49% of players have two weeks or less between the end of their club season and the start of inter-county action.
The full survey will be published in October.
At their AGM last May, the GPA revealed that in 2025, a total of €4.35m was spent on player welfare and development. A further €3m in annual grant funding was provided from Sport Ireland via the GAA.
The total revenue of the organisation of €7.6m was up by 1% compared to the previous year due to government grants increasing by 5%, offset by GAA core funding decrease of 6%. The GAA funding to the GPA amounted to €2.98m, down from €3.17m the previous year.
