Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 1

Written Answers. - Horse Industry.

Mary Wallace

Question:

93 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the Government's long-term strategy for the horse industry in Ireland; the proportion of the levy on betting that goes back into the sector; the plans, if any, there are to establish a third level equine studies course; the number of people who are currently employed in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

In 1993 I announced detailed proposals for a major restructuring of the organisation of horseracing involving the establishment of a new horseracing authority. The new authority would assume overall responsibility for the administration and development of all aspects of the horseracing industry with the sole exception of the operation of the rules of racing and the provision of integrity services for horseraces. Both of these functions would continue to be the responsibility of the governing bodies. A draft of the legislation necessary to put the new frame-work in place will be published and circulated to Deputies in the current Dáil session.

The National Stud is in the process of implementing a development plan involving a restructuring of its operations. The object of the plan is to bring the stud back to profitability. The plan calls for an increase in the State's equity in the stud. To this end a sum of £1.5 million is provided for in the 1994 book of estimates.

In 1992 I appointed an interim board for the non-thoroughbred sector with a view to the establishment of a structure to provide for its development. Last year the interim board recommended the establishment of a horse board cooperative. The co-op has been launched and is now in the process of recruiting members. The Board has submitted a plan for the future development of the non-thoroughbred horse industry including in particular a strategy for the breeding, production and marketing of sport horses. I have already accepted this plan and have agreed a package of measures including financial assistance for the co-op to facilitate the implementation of the plan. The package covers the period up to 1998.

The full amount of the 5 per cent levy collected on all "on-course" betting at authorised racecourses goes to the Racing Board and is used for the benefit of horseracing. The 10 per cent tax on "off-course" betting which includes bets on all events whether connected to horseracing or not goes to the Exchequer. A grant-in-aid is paid to the Racing Board from the Agriculture Vote for the benefit of horseracing. The level of the grant-inaid in 1994 is equivalent to more than 20 per cent of the Exchequer receipts from the betting tax.

In 1993 a degree course in equine science was introduced at the University of Limerick.

The number of people employed directly and indirectly in the horse industry including both thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred sectors, is estimated at 40,000.