Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2019
170. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request an additional €5 million for the sport horse industry (details supplied) via Horse Sport Ireland to be invested throughout the industry for the purpose of job creation, increasing exports and to ensure the industry can reach its true potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37825/19]
View answerMy Department is fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continues to provide support to it both financially and with policy initiatives. I have demonstrated my commitment to the industry by increasing the budget allocated to Horse Sport Ireland from €2.0m in 2017 to €2.5m in 2018 and I have approved a further increase of €500,000 to €3.0m in 2019. This is an increase of 50% on the 2017 allocation.
In 2016, my Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to undertake a review of Horse Sport Ireland. The report was published in 2017. Horse Sport Ireland have been making great progress in implementing the Indecon recommendations. The proposal to rationalise the board is close to finality with only the Northern representative outstanding. A recruitment process through the Public Appointments Service was undertaken to select a new chairperson and three board members. These members are now in place alongside the four industry representatives.
I have recently received a copy of the Strategy Report and a funding submission from HSI for 2020. I will consider this request in the context of the 2020 budget negotiations.
