DEPOSITS
• The variable interest rate is currently at 1.9%.
• The minimum deposit to open an account in the Scheme is €1,000/£1,000.
Procedure for Opening a Deposit Account:
• Details Form - The GAA Unit must complete this form outlining the unit’s name, address and the signatories authorised to lodge and withdraw money (minimum of two officials is required).
• Deposit Form - The GAA Unit must complete a signed Deposit form indicating the amount of funds being deposited, the length of time the club intends to keep the funds on deposit (a. Less than 1 year, b. Between 1-3 years, c. More than 3 years) and the expected withdrawal date if known.
• The GAA Unit must submit a minute from the club meeting where it was decided to deposit to the GAA Development Fund.
Procedure for Withdrawing Funds:
• The GAA Unit must complete a withdrawal form indicating the amount of money they wish to withdraw, the unit’s bank details for funds to be paid and what the withdrawal funds are required for.
• No withdrawals can be made from the Fund without a withdrawal form signed by at least two signatories.
Notice Periods for Withdrawal
• Lotto funds: 10 days’ notice required
• 0-100,000: 1 Months’ notice required.
• 100,000-1,000,000: 3 Months’ notice required.
• Over 1,000,000: 6 Months’ notice required.
Deposit/Withdrawal forms should be returned by email to gaadevelopmentfund@gaa.ie
LOANS
• Loans are only available to assist clubs with the development of vested GAA properties only.
• Only applications for Core GAA activity will be considered. Core GAA activities are defined below (Non-Core GAA activities are any developments that is not mentioned below):
(A) Land Purchase (Purchase of lands to develop GAA facilities)
(B) Pitch Development
(i) Development of Synthetic Playing Surfaces
(ii) Development of Grass Playing Surfaces (Groundworks, Drainage, Irrigation)
(iii) Goalposts & Ball-stop Nets
(C) Floodlights (New and upgrades)
(D) Dressing Rooms
(E) Ball Wall / Ball Alley
• Top-Up Loans or refinancing existing debt will not be funded by the GAA Development Fund.
• Only clubs ready to start project works (and where applicable, with planning permission granted) should apply. If successful, clubs will have 6 months from the letter of offer to drawdown the loan. After this, the loan offer will expire, and the club will need to submit a new application when the fund re-opens.
• Clubs are expected to demonstrate they have 30% of the overall cost of the project in available funds (Matched Funding). The value of the loan will not exceed 70% of the cost of the project.
• Clubs who have a minimum of €10,000 on deposit in the Fund will be given priority consideration where demand exceeds supply.
• The cumulative maximum loan amount available to any one club is €100,000/£100,000 (Depending on Jurisdiction of Club).
• Maximum repayment term of 10 years Repayment terms are set out below:
- <EUR/STG 49k = 5 years
- >EUR/STG 49k but <EUR/GBP80k = 8 years
- >EUR/STG 80K = 10 years
Note: There are no penalties for early repayment.
• Variable interest rate applicable, currently 1.9%. This interest rate is set by the NFMC, and any changes will be advised in writing to each club.
• Repayments are to be made monthly by Direct Debit (26 counties) or Standing Order (6 counties & outside the island of Ireland). Interest will accrue daily and be charged to the account monthly.
• The availability of funds is subject to the Funding Policy criteria, as set out by the NFMC for the overall fund. Should the Fund become oversubscribed, the NFMC retains absolute discretion in relation to the loan amount award, considering the club's demonstrated needs.
• The club will be required to sign a loan agreement reflecting the commercial terms of the loan, following which the funds will be transferred pending receipts of work significantly commenced / property acquired.
• All applications must be guaranteed by the County Board and a recommendation provided by your Provincial Council following submission.
• Applications will only be considered by the NFMC on receipt of completed loan application form:
- Submitted through “Foireann” between 1st of December 2024 and 31st of January 2025
- Supporting documentation including a viable business plan demonstrating repayment capacity.
- Approved by County & Province.
NOTE: If an application reaches the NFMC following review by the County & Province which is incomplete or missing documentation, the application will be rejected by the NFMC. (The County & Province will have the option to inform the club of missing information if spotted during their reviews and seek resubmission from the clubs.
**The GAA Development Fund will accept loan applications from 1st December 2024 to 31st January 2025 via Foireann. **
All applications for loans must come through Foireann. The Clubs Foireann Administrator must apply by clicking on the link below and filling out the application form: https://www.foireann.ie/