Jack Wall
Question:188 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the funding spent on the purchase of horses for the Army Equitation School for each of the past ten years. [16085/98]
Written Answers. - Army Equitation School.
Jack Wall
Question:189 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of horses in the Army Equitation School; if he has satisfied himself with this number; and if it is his intention to purchase additional horses. [16086/98]
Jack Wall
Question:190 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if all the horses at the Army Equitation School are Irish bred. [16087/98]
The following table shows the expenditure on the acquisition of horses by purchase/lease over the past ten years for the Army Equitation School:—
|
Year |
Amount £ |
Year |
Amount £ |
|
1988 |
7,791 |
1993 |
107,000 |
|
1989 |
149,208 |
1994 |
91,000 |
|
1990 |
124,000 |
1995 |
71,500 |
|
1991 |
101,500 |
1996 |
120,000 |
|
1992 |
134,000 |
1997 |
144,830 |
The Army Equitation School currently has a total of 42 horses, of which seven are international and 22 are national standard showjumpers. The remainder is made up of eight student standard horses, four brood mares and a foal. All horses are Irish bred. My Department continues to source high quality Irish bred horses for the Army Equitation School for competition at home and abroad with the purpose of promoting the Irish non-thoroughbred horse. Agreement has been reached for the purchase of two horses so far this year and I intend to ensure that sufficient numbers of good quality horses continue to be acquired by the school in order to maintain the proud tradition of that establishment.