Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1538. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider progressing with legislation to place harness racing on an equal footing with the greyhound and sports horse industry as a beneficiary on a pro rata basis of the horse and greyhound fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33592/20]
View answerUnder Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 (No.20 of 2001), the horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Fund. Monies are paid out in the ratio of 80% to Horse Racing Ireland and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann as specified in Section 12 (6) of the Act. The funding underpins the development of the relevant sectors and these funds are provided exclusively for these State Bodies.
My Department funded the Indecon Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector, published November 2017 and supported its recommendations, and has provided important additional monies. In March 2018, this Department provided €63,714 to fund the preparation of a Five-Year Strategic Plan for Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA). From 2016 to date, grants totalling €114,150 have been paid to the IHRA under the Equine Technical Support Scheme.
The Equine Technical Support Scheme is funding two projects in 2020 (Integrity of records €28,420 and Website Development €1,999). My Department awarded a tender to carry out an education programme aimed at road racing sulky participants and owners of trotting horses with a view to raising awareness of the importance of good horse welfare. This pilot programme ran successfully in 2017, at a cost of €27,000 and the programme continued with courses held in 2018 and 2019.
