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Financial information for clubs due to Covid-19 crisis

With the cessation of all games activity within the GAA since Friday 13 March there have obviously been significant effect on all areas of club life.

Club finances are no different. With games suspended and all club grounds (and walking tracks) now closed see below information that may be of use to clubs and club treasurers over the coming weeks.

Player Injury Fund:

Player Injury Fund has been suspended and no claims shall be accepted during the close period.

Club Rates:

6 Counties

No rates charge for April, May and June 2020
25% reduction in total bill for 2020/21

26 Counties

Commercial Rates deferred for March, April and May 2020
This does not mean rates have been waived and those that can afford to pay should continue to do so.

VAT registered Clubs

6 Counties

VAT payments postponed for next three months up to June 2020
All refunds/repayments shall be paid as normal by HMRC
For more info: click here

26 Counties

Revenue commissioners shall apply no interest or late payment charges for VAT for the January/ February period
All VAT returns must continue to be submitted as normal and late payment shall not alter the club’s tax clearance status
All current Revenue debt enforcement has been suspended until further notice.

Club Employees

6 Counties

If a club has employees to be laid off (i.e. Social Club staff etc.) they can be designated as furloughed workers with HMRC funding available to cover 80% Monthly Gross Wage (up to £2,500).
Employers can choose to cover the remaining 20% but do not have to.
Backdated to 1st March 2020 and open for three months with an extension possible.
For more info: click here

26 Counties

If clubs can show they have lost 25% of their income/trade they can claim 70% of your employees net wage back up to a maximum of €410 per week
Clubs must apply to Revenue for the scheme.
For more info: click here

Community Funds

Community Foundation for NI: Coronavirus Community Fund

The current focus is to support groups and organisations working with the following communities and issues and that are affected by coronavirus:

Older people (aged over 50)
Those at increased risk, particularly in relation to poor mental health and wellbeing
Vulnerable isolated people and families, particularly those living in rural areas

They want to support community groups working together; particularly in smaller geographical communities. They will therefore encourage a partnership approach, and one application from one lead organisation, rather than a number of separate applications.

Typically, they will be able to provide grants of £1,000, however, they will consider applications for up to £2,500

Examples of projects may include:

Enabling older people to access a nutritious meal by connecting them to services providing groceries, and/or ready made meals
Enabling and encouraging isolated people of all ages to use and access technology to keep them connected to the outside world
Remote befriending schemes for those isolated, and in need of support
Social prescribing initiatives, in line with government guidance around isolation and social distancing. Developing online projects and volunteering opportunities, such as arts activities, group learning, gardening, befriending, cookery, healthy eating advice and a range of exercise activities
Provision of enhanced counselling support services, providing they are offered in line with government advice and guidance around social distancing
Projects that build social networks, in line with current guidance around isolation and social distancing, and that may further develop once this period of isolation has ended
Projects supporting those at risk, for example those suffering from domestic violence, children at risk; providing the project is supporting those most in need, in line with government advice and guidance

For more details click here.