asked the Minister for Finance the amount of support provided during the year 1964 for the horse racing industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Support for Horse Racing Industry.
3.
I take it that the Deputy has in mind moneys provided by the Racing Board.
Details of the moneys contributed to the horse racing industry by the Racing Board are contained in the annual accounts of the Board which are presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas pursuant to section 19 (3) of the Racing Board and Racecourses Act, 1945. The accounts for 1964 are not yet available but it is understood that they will show that after providing for the Board's expenses a sum of approximately £500,000 was contributed in that year compared with £339,800 in the previous year.
I may add that on 15th June, 1964, course betting, including totalisator, at horse race meetings was exempted from turnover tax in view of the national importance of the industry and of the need for the Racing Board to raise more money for the development of the industry by increasing its totalisator deduction and levy on course betting. It was also decided that the amount of turnover tax already paid by the Racing Board—a sum of £145,900 15s. —should be repaid to the Board and this was done during 1964 out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas through the Vote for Miscellaneous Expenses.