Thomas Byrne says the Government must "step up to the plate" to improve Irish soccer facilities.
But the new Minister for State for Sport maintains that outgoing FAI chair Roy Barrett's request that the Government increase the betting tax from two to three percent, with the extra funding going to football, is a matter for Minister for Finance Michael McGrath.
"Clearly times have changed but it's set up into legislation," said Byrne of the controversial levy, with the financial benefits ring-fenced for the horse racing and greyhound industries.
READ MORE: Bohemians confirm Pat Fenlon as new Director of Football
"It's not the easiest thing to change and it's a fact that the horse racing industry employs up to 30,000 people, so there's a huge amount of employment around that.
"I'm not here to defend any particular industry but the prize money certainly goes back into the system in terms of employing people.
"I don't want to give any commitment. We've gone through a whole load of gambling regulations in the last few months so I'm not certain I want to go there yet."
A UEFA study published in late 2021 estimated the cost benefit of grassroots football to the Irish economy was €1.8 billion.
"I absolutely accept that and I see what it does for communities, it just gives everyone a lift," said Byrne, speaking at the SSE Airtricity SWI Annual Awards.
"I'd be considering carefully what Roy Barrett said. He made a big contribution and what he says is worthy of listening to and considering, and that's what I've been doing.
"He’s moving on for different reasons, too, to help the gender balance situation and that’s really welcome.
"We want to thank him for the work he’s done because they were in a very, very low place.
"Look, he's not making a point that one could straight away disagree with. But it's a matter for the Minister for Finance."
Byrne, a Fianna Fáil TD, became Minister of State for Sport last month, replacing Jack Chambers, and brings a background in football with him into the new post.
His father, Tommy senior, was player-manager of Drogheda United in the 1960s.
Byrne's wife, Ann, played Ladies Football for Meath and played soccer for DCU, while his kids play locally in Drogheda for East Meath United and Donacarney Celtic.
"When my dad died there a few years ago, Drogheda United were very kind and did various tributes to him," said the 45-year-old.
"I went to more Drogheda United games when I was younger but I’ve certainly gone recently, and I’ll continue to. They’re my local club.
"My wife is a real sporting hero in the family. I think they say in soccer that talent skips a generation so my Dad played and it’s skipped down to my kids."
His trips to Head in the Game Park and, at a more grassroot level, to his children's matches ensure Byrne is aware of the problems with facilities in Irish football.
He is also Minister of State for Education, with an emphasis on physical education, and it is Byrne's ambition to marry both in terms of finding solutions for much-needed facilities.
Barrett insisted that the Government has to do more to assist the FAI, pointing out the disparity between grants given to football clubs as opposed to GAA and rugby clubs.
"His calculations, I’m not going to argue with - but they do go back to 2000," responded Byrne.
"In the last number of years, there has been huge support for soccer, or football - the FAI got significant support in their darkest days from the Government, when we could have just said 'no, we can’t fund this, that is it'.
"We funded it because of the grassroots. We’re going to look at figures in more recent years in more detail."
The 2022 Sports Capital Programme saw a record €150m granted to sports clubs.
"The FAI have got better in terms of educating clubs on applying for funding," Byrne added.
"The GAA were excellent at this 15 years ago but the FAI have really developed their expertise. We do want applications from soccer clubs across the country.
"We want to help the FAI clubs get organised to ensure they can benefit as much as possible.
"A lot of people have moved to Ireland and football is a global sport that is more and more popular. We're going to just have to step up to the plate."
READ NEXT:
Former Irish soccer player Robbie Horgan 'hours from death' after being 'too stubborn' to go to A&E
Denis Leamy on his 'Hail Mary' against the Saints when they last played Munster at Thomond Park
Ruby Walsh backs Jack Kennedy to still challenge for jockeys' title after leg break
FA launch spot-fixing investigation after Arsenal match vs Oxford
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alert
