Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
595. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that financial support will be given to Horse Sport Ireland for the integrity programme and the National Equine Anti-Doping Programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45820/22]
View answer596. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider increasing the amount of funding available for breeding and production supports for Horse Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45847/22]
View answer597. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be increased from the expected €850,000 in 2022 to €1.5 million in 2023 to grow the share of Irish-bred horses sold to overseas markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45850/22]
View answer598. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider introducing a voucher scheme (Details Supplied) for Horse Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45851/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 595 to 598, inclusive, together.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is a company limited by guarantee and is the national governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland. It is recognised by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland and Sport Northern Ireland. It was established in 2007 when the Equestrian Federation of Ireland and the Irish Horse Board were amalgamated, bringing together the breeding and competition sectors, on the basis of a Government commissioned report on the sector at the time. It receives State funds from the Department and through Sport Ireland.
It is responsible for devising and implementing strategies for the development and promotion of an internationally competitive Irish sport horse industry (breeding, sport and leisure aspects). HSI is approved by DAFM to maintain the Irish Sport Horse, Irish Draught Horse, Irish Sport Pony and Irish Cob Studbooks and it operates a comprehensive breed improvement programme and undertakes promotional and marketing initiatives.
My Department is fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continues to provide support to it financially and with policy initiatives. I have demonstrated my commitment to the industry by increasing the budget allocated to Horse Sport Ireland from €2.5m in 2018 to €5.2m in 2022.
My Department is committed to assisting in the promotion and development of equine breeding and production systems in Ireland. This is achieved through working closely with HSI.
I have recently received a copy of the funding submission from HSI for 2023, which, inter alia, details matters raised by the Deputy.
The HSI also receive funding through the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
