Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
10. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports his Department provides to a club (details supplied); and if multi-annual funding for this community service will be provided. [26949/21]
View answerThe Clondalkin Equine Club is based in an area of Clondalkin that is highly disadvantaged. In fact, it is in the area where I was born, bred and buttered, as we say in Clondalkin. The club is based in a purpose-built facility that stables 20 horses and teaches young people the importance of responsible urban horsemanship. I am asking if the Minister's Department will provide multi-annual funding to this wonderful facility. Multi-annual funding is essential so the club can plan for its future.
I thank the Deputy for his question. In keeping with the programme for Government, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders in supporting urban horse welfare programmes, in particular in the context of facilities and education programmes. Funding provided to South Dublin County Council in support of the Clondalkin Equine Centre has been the largest capital commitment by the Department in support of an urban horse programme.
To date the Department has provided funding of almost €560,000, with a further €26,000 made available this year subject to commitments entered into by officials from the Department and the club. This agreement was in the context of limitations imposed by Covid-19, agreeing further efforts to secure alternative funding and the proposed formulation of a strategy for the organisation. This funding of €503,000 in 2016 was committed to on the understanding that South Dublin County Council satisfied itself with the rules and governance of the club and that the project, when up and running, would be self-sustaining and assisted with reducing reliance on control of horses' activities.
This project also committed to the education of horse owners, particularly young horse owners, in the care and welfare of horses, as well as presenting educational and development opportunities for young people. At the time, the Department made it clear to South Dublin County Council that funding would not be available for the day-to-day running of the club going forward. To ensure sustainability, the Department worked with the council towards the hiring of a part-time project manager with responsibility for the further development of this horse project and the Department provided funding towards this employment for a time.
The Department provided further funding in 2019 of €20,000 to the council towards the salary of a full-time manager following a commitment from the club to pursuing alternative streams of revenue. Earlier this year, following representations and meetings with the club board and management, the Department agreed to provide a final tranche of short-term funding to the project through the council. The Government is committed to supporting urban horse projects and work is ongoing with other Departments and local authorities to ensure that horses and the young people who care for them receive appropriate support.
I thank the Minister and acknowledge the funding provided by his Department. As I stated, the Clondalkin Equine Club needs multi-annual funding. I also agree with the Minister that it has been really difficult for the club to obtain alternative funding because of the limitations imposed by Covid-19. The club was told by the Department it could apply to the Pobal process but community service programmes underwent a review last year and the club has been advised that this is at ministerial level, with nothing happening with new applications until this process takes place.
When will this review take place? I know it is not within his remit but will the Minister speak to his Cabinet colleague about this as a matter of urgency so this can be progressed? I will put this in context, although I do not begrudge Horse Racing Ireland. However, €56,000 would fund two posts in this urban horse project while Horse Racing Ireland is to receive €77 million this year, which is an increase of €10 million.
I thank the Deputy. This tremendous project has been recognised and supported by the Government to the tune of over €500,000. That is a reflection of the commitment we have to supporting projects like this and the value they add to local communities, equine care and welfare and the education of and provision of opportunities to young people so they can engage with horses and develop their skills.
The project was established on the basis that it would become self-sustaining and there was much engagement between the people in the project, South Dublin County Council and the Department on the structure. That commitment was the concept behind the project so it is important that it can be followed through. I understand the challenges that arise with Covid-19 and the engagement that has happened with my Department. I assure the Deputy we are committed to the project, as the provided funding demonstrates, and we will continue to work with it to see how it can be supported.
I thank the Minister. If possible, perhaps he could reach across the Cabinet table to speak about the Pobal funding, as that would be really welcome. The Clondalkin Equine Club is an oasis of tranquility in north Clondalkin. Young people are carrying on the tradition of urban horsemanship in a responsible manner. Its purpose is to develop the social, equine and vocational skills of young people and to provide recreation, education, training and employment opportunities.
Services are delivered to a number of groups, including local schools, youth groups, children with physical and learning disabilities and young people from socially excluded groups. I am an urban boy so my engagement with the Minister over this term of the Government will probably be really limited. On behalf of the two staff members, Rachel and Jessica, and all the members of the club, I have been asked to invite the Minister to north Clondalkin to see the equine club, what it does and the service it provides to the people not only in north Clondalkin but right across Dublin Mid-West.
I thank the Deputy. There has been tremendous commitment to this from the Department, as the Deputy can see from the level of funding. I recognise the tremendous work the club is doing and the value to youths in the community. I certainly look forward to visiting it and other similar projects whenever there is time in the near future. I also want to look at projects like this that can work with young people with a tremendous interest in horses so as to develop their skills and capacity to engage in and enjoy the pursuits they love and for which they have such a passion. It is important the support that can be given is provided in terms of infrastructure. I thank Deputy Ward for raising the matter today.
