The scheme will start in the 1999-2000 season with the objective of developing rugby club structures in Ireland in four main sectors - Playing, Coaching, Refereeing and Facilities. It will replace the existing IRFU subventions to clubs and will cost the union £1 million per annum.

The maximum amount payable to clubs through the new scheme by the IRFU are: Category A - Division One: £33,000; Division Two: £22,000. Category B - Division Three: £16,000; Division Four: £11,000.

Fifty per cent of the subvention capital is subject to the clubs co-operating with the developmental aspects of the plan. There are financial penalty clauses on a sliding scale if clubs fail to fulfil any one of several criteria.

Developmental templates are divided into two AIL categories - A = Divisions 1, 2. B = Division 3, 4. Each template indicates: a) the number of teams a club is requested to field at adult/youth/mini level throughout the season. b) The number of active referees a club should possess. c) The number of coaches recommended for each team in various categories. d) The quality/qualification of these coaches.

National under-20, u-18, u-16, Junior 1 and Junior 2 competitions will be run from next season, culminating in finals at Lansdowne Road.

All funds withheld from the scheme will be reinvested in the employment of four provincial referee recruitment officers, commencing August 1999.