The monetary figure was revealed during a meeting of a scrutiny committee at Stormont on Thursday.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) committee heard half of the £8 million allocated by Government to develop the game in Northern Ireland remains unallocated.

The release of public funds was dependent on the IFA meeting certain criteria, particularly regarding the reform of its ruling structures.

The association has formed an executive committee as requested, but other changes remain outstanding.

A DCAL official told the committee: "The reason that I've been given is that there's a reform of governance programme being carried out in the IFA and there are key issues that are still outstanding and therefore Sport NI (government sports body) have not been able to release the funding."

Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry described the delay as "extraordinary".

Interim IFA chief executive Raymond Kennedy insisted the matter would be progressed in the new year.

"We have moved on 99 per cent and we now only have a very small bit to do to complete the puzzle, once that's completely satisfied then I am confident the money will be rolled out," he said.

Last month, former chief executive Howard Wells was dismissed by the football authority.

In a revealing interview this week, Mr Wells admitted he was "shocked" at the organisation of the association when he arrived in early 2004.