Jim O'Keeffe
Question:6 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the reason the budget of the Army Equitation School has been reduced by a quarter; and his views on whether this cutback will impact adversely on its development. [13061/03]
Other Questions. - Army Equitation School.
The mission of the equitation school is to promote the Irish non-thoroughbred horse. The school has discharged this task with considerable distinction down the years. Through its participation in equestrian events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish horse. The school has also consistently provided horses and riders of the highest quality for Irish international show jumping teams and, allowing for the contribution of individual civilian riders, the Army riders have in many respects formed the backbone of international teams over many years and have made a major contribution to Ireland qualifying for the Nations Cup Super League in 2003.
As with all services, additional investment is required occasionally to replace and upgrade facilities and to support further development. In this regard, I was glad to be in a position to provide funding for considerable investment in the school in recent years. Specifically, an additional provision of €330,000 in the 2001 Defence Estimate, which is a 46% increase on 2000, was maintained in 2002. This investment has reaped significant dividends, especially in 2002 when the school achieved 25 international victories, the largest number in almost 20 years.
The equitation school is currently in a very healthy position with 55 horses, including 36 showjumping and eventing horses and has 37 personnel, including seven riding officers and one cadet officer in training. The provision in the 2003 Estimate for the equitation school reflects the normal annual level of expenditure for the school.
The amount expended in the past two years involved additional investment in the school. As a result of this investment, I am satisfied that the school is now on a very sound footing to meet future challenges and to continue to develop its horses and riders, to effectively meet its objective of promoting the Irish non-thoroughbred horse, at both national and international level.
I am glad to see the Minister recognises the enormous benefits of the school to the Defence Forces and the country because when I looked at the Estimates I was beginning to be concerned that it was the beginning of the end of the equitation school. It seems to me to be a poor reward for such outstanding victories in 2002 to have its Estimate cut by almost one quarter.
I am particularly concerned about the reduction in the Estimate for the purchase of horses which has been cut by €175,000. It seems that is ill-advised and for such a small amount we have over the years gained marvellous value and benefit from the equitation school. It has raised the morale of the Defence Forces and has raised morale nationally. I want to see the school being fully equipped and able to replace the horses to the highest international standard. I ask the Minister for a commitment that he shares this view.
When I became Minister for Defence, it would be fair to say that the equitation school was under fairly mortal threat. I saw to it that additional resources would be provided for the very purpose which the Deputy has outlined. Buying good horses is the life blood of the equitation school.
We took a number of other initiatives including the improvement of accommodation, bursary grants. Of necessity the purchase of additional horses led to additional veterinary, forage and other costs. We now have the highest complement of horses in the school for a long time and their work has been very successful.
The Deputy can be assured and he knows from his own experience in Government that there are times when one has an opportunity to inject significant additional resources for a specific purpose. It is not necessary that those resources are maintained every year because it depends on opportunities. I have always told the equitation school that should an ideal opportunity arise for the acquisition of a particular horse, they should inform me and I will assist in whatever way I can. I have maintained a flexible approach to the acquisition of horses because the school was in very significant decline when I became Minister. The Deputy need have no fears for the future.
Apart from the reduction in the moneys for the purchase of horses, there is also a reduction in the moneys set aside for maintenance and a reduction in the expenses for the teams at horse shows. These are worrying signals and I am glad to be given the Minister's assurances.
If the Minister is saving money this year, there is a contrast between this and the other question I have tabled where the Minister has doubled the money for military entertainment, roughly the cut that he has made in the equitation school funding. I suggest it requires some explanation from the Minister in that I think the moneys provided for the equitation school bring far better value to the Defence Forces and the country than the moneys set aside for military entertainment which has gone up from €200,000 to €440,000.
As far as the equitation school is concerned, I have a fairly significant role to play in terms of determining its Estimate. I do not have the same role in determining the aspect which has been raised by the Deputy, beyond to say that apart from preparing for the presidency of the European Council next year, unfortunately this year we are obliged to hold a conference under OSCE and invite two members each from 54 countries and keep them for four days. The detail shows that the entertainment is not for individual members of the Defence Forces or for any splashing out but is part of the role—
It is some fairly hefty wining and dining.
That conference alone will cost €110,000. This is part and parcel of the responsibilities of Government which the Deputy will have experienced when he was in Government.
There are times when we say that if we did not have to do this we would prefer to be doing something else but that is part of our role. I assure the Deputy that I am well aware of the interest shown in Cork in the equitation school and the school is in safe hands.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
I will allow brief supplementary questions from Deputies Wall and McGinley.
I compliment the Department on the success of its involvement with the Irish showjumping team which had major successes in competitions around the world. I hope the Minister's commitment given in the House today does not alter that.
Did the Minister say there was only one cadet training in the equitation school?
I did not say there was only one cadet. There are two bursaries but I did not say there was only one cadet.
The development of the equitation school depends on the number of people in the college. The equitation school is represented at local level in the local shows such as the Kildare show and also at national shows. I was pleased to see the participation of young horses in the national and international shows.
What is the Department's policy on the leasing of horses for use in the school?
We all appreciate the major achievements of the Army Equitation School both last year and since the foundation of the State. It is not an exaggeration to say they have put Irish showjumping on the world map.
Will participation in tournaments this year be affected by the cutbacks? Will they be prevented from participating in any tournaments that they participated in last year and previous years? In his negotiations with the banks, will the Minister suggest that the banks could assist by means of sponsorship of the equitation school if there is to be a 25% cutback in funding?
As I explained earlier, this is not a cutback. There were a couple of years where I tried to lift the Estimate for the equitation school by a very substantial amount to do very specific work. We now have 55 horses and 37 personnel, seven riding officers. It is correct to say that there is one cadet in training but I was combining the whole lot together.
Leasing of horses is an integral part of how it works. Quite a number of owners of very good horses do not want to sell them. They are quite prepared to lease them to the school because of its reputation and how the horses will be cared for and the opportunities it offers. Those arrangements will continue.
I welcome any help Deputy McGinley can give me with the banks in this matter. I am not aware of any opportunity that will be missed because of the Estimates. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has just entered the House and he may help.