Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
116. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding streams and supports within his Department that are open to a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6697/22]
View answerLast year, I raised the issue of funding for the Clondalkin Equine Club with the Minister. Unfortunately, I must raise this again. Last year, I asked the Department to provide a multi-annual funding stream for the club. This year, I am asking the Minister to provide any information he has on funding streams or supports within the Department for which the club can apply, including for animal welfare.
In keeping with the programme for Government, my Department is committed to working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders and supporting urban horse welfare programmes, in particular in the context of facilities and education programmes.
In 2016, my Department committed to provide funding towards an equine facility being developed by the local authority in the Clondalkin area, as outlined by Deputy Carthy. This funding was committed on the understanding that the local authority was satisfied with the rules and governance of the club and that the project, when up and running, would be self-sustaining and would assist in reducing reliance on activities relating to the control of horses and in managing horse control problems in the area. The 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.
Last year, my Department agreed with the local authority to provide additional funding to the club in the context of restrictions associated with Covid-19, on the understanding that it would renew efforts to secure alternative funding and formulate a strategy for the organisation going forward. To date, my Department has provided funding in excess of €500,000 to the club through the local authority, which has been the largest capital commitment by my Department to local authorities in support of an urban horse programme. My Department's commitment extends to providing supports for the capital investment of developing such projects. It does not have a funding mechanism to cover the day-to-day running costs of such facilities. As part of a multi-agency approach, officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the local authority and the club as well as other Departments to secure long-term funding for the club. That work is ongoing.
I do not wish to appear ignorant, but that appears to be a copy and paste of the answer I got last year. The sum of €500,000 was to build the facility, not for the day-to-day running costs. As the Minister will be aware, Covid has impacted on the ability of many clubs and organisations around the country to access funding streams. This club provides stables for 20 youths in the Clondalkin area. It teaches them proper urban horsemanship and provides livery. This is all at a very low cost to the community, which otherwise would not be able to provide it.
The Minister referred to education. Some club members have progressed into careers with horses in a short period, including horse racing. One member has gone into veterinary practices. The club is doing everything possible to keep going. I thank my colleague, Deputy Carthy, for visiting the club recently. As I did last year, I invite the Minister to do the same so he can see it for himself. I would appreciate if he could outline any other supports the club can access.
This is an initiative of which my Department is very supportive. There is a strong role for clubs such as this in working to ensure that horse welfare is prioritised, and that the tradition of horse care and horses in urban communities in particular are fostered and structured and that there is significant engagement in the education of young people in horse welfare and development opportunities.
As I outlined in my initial response, the Department is engaging with Departments and various sectors and bodies. This is the largest single investment the Department has made in any club in the country, as the Deputy indicated, for capital investment. We will continue to work to try to support the club to make a real difference and be effective in the community.
I spoke numerous times, most recently last week, to the local authority on the issue. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the club, it is not able to apply for many of the community funding streams through the local authority. The sum of €56,000 would fund the two staff members for a year and it would keep 20 horses in stables. That amount would allow the club to continue to provide supports for local groups such as youth clubs, children with physical and learning disabilities and young people from socially excluded groups. The Minister signed off on a €52,000 pay increase for the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland only last month. In that context, €56,000 is only pocket change to this Government but would make a real difference not only to the people that use the Clondalkin Equine Club but the Clondalkin area as a whole. This is something that cannot be allowed to stop given the importance of providing the service in the area.
I commend the Deputy Ward's proposal that the Minister would visit the centre. I had an opportunity during the recess to go there. I welcome the investment made by the Department in this fantastic facility. It is one of those initiatives that ticks so many boxes. It is good for animal welfare and it is good for the community but, crucially and above all else, it is good promotion for the Department. I consider any funding for this project to be a good investment on behalf of the Minister and the Department in showing the value of animal husbandry within an urban setting and building on a love for animals. It fits perfectly in that regard. It is not, and should not only be, the responsibility of the Department, but as I said in a recent letter to the Minister, it is important that he and the Department take leadership to bring together all the other stakeholders and support this very worthwhile group.
My Department has made a significant investment in partnership with South Dublin County Council. It was made very clear to the council at that stage that the Department's investment was to get the project going, so there is a real role for the council in that regard.
The Department has also been in close contact with Deputy Gino Kenny, who has made many representations and has been a very strong advocate for this project from the outset. In September 2019, I met with the club board and the Department and support was provided at that stage.
We are committed to investments such as this. We want them to reap rewards and produce dividends. That is the basis on which we made the €500,000 investment in the first place. The clear understanding at that time of South Dublin County Council was that it would be for the capital allocation and not for current expenditure or the day-to-day running of the centre. I have no doubt Deputy Ward will also engage with the county council on the matter. The Department will continue to be helpful and will assist to ensure this capital investment does reap real benefits for the club and the local community and we will continue to engage with South Dublin County Council on it as well.
