(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the report commissioned by the Turf Club from which it appears that the stakes for horse racing have not increased in real terms since 1950; and if, in view of the importance of the racing industry to the economy of the country, he will take steps to allocate a substantial amount of the money collected by way of tax on betting to the Racing Board so that stakes may be increased, having regard to the present cost of keeping horses in training and other expenses incidental to racing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Horse Racing.
1.
I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy.
The total amount collected by the Racing Board from levies on course betting, including totalisator betting, after operating expenses have been met, is applied by the board for the benefit of horse racing. In 1977, the board contributed £1,575,000 towards stake money which represented 64 per cent of total prize money in that year.
I have no plans for supplementing the Racing Board funds for the purpose of increasing stake prize moneys.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Presumably the Minister appreciates the importance of racing to the economy. Is he aware that there are at least 10,000 people employed in the industry? Is he also aware that the cost of keeping a horse in training has increased dramatically to an average of £45 a week, that it is estimated that it takes the stakes of two races to defray the cost of keeping a horse in training for one year and that about 50 per cent of all horses in training never win a penny? I believe—I ask the Minister to comment on this—that the receipts from off-course betting are very substantial. Presumably the Minister has the figures and he can give them to us. Will he not consider making some of this money available to the Racing Board so that they can increase the stakes substantially? I suggest that a sum of——
Will the Deputy ask a question?
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am asking a question. I suggest to the Minister that a sum of £1,575,000 is a very small contribution to the stakes from the receipts from taxes on racing.
First of all, I presume the Deputy appreciates that the figure I have mentioned simply represents the board's contribution towards the stake money but not the total contribution of the board towards various aspects of horse racing. I am, of course, aware of the importance of the industry and I am also aware of the substantial increase in costs to which the Deputy has referred. I presume the Deputy is also aware that the statistics in recent years in relation to betting, attendance at race meetings, the number of runners and so on, are on the upward trend. That would suggest, on the face of it, that whatever difficulties may be encountered are not such as to be operating unduly to the detriment of the industry.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Would the Minister give the amount that the levy of 20 per cent brings in?
That is a separate question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I suggest it is in the neighbourhood of £20 million.
It appears to have been little over £8.9 million for 1977.
Will the Minister agree that the owner is the backbone of the racing industry, that it is costing at least £3,500 to keep a horse in training and that if the owner goes out of business—many of them are finding it very hard to continue—the industry will face serious difficulties in the years ahead?
I do not wish to repeat myself but I again refer the Deputy to the indicators in recent years.
The bookies and other sections may be making money out of it. Surely the Minister will have to admit that none of that money is going back to the owners?
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that the report I have referred to and that he has seen states that the value of stakes has not increased since 1950? Does he not agree that it is a very unfair way of treating the owners, particularly the small ones? We hear about the £50,000 stakes but it is the owner who is only getting £300 or £400 a race, when he wins it, who is the backbone of the industry. I am sure if the Minister's colleague in the seat beside him were in his seat he would be more sympathetic. Would the Minister make a substantial contribution from this £8 million to the Racing Board so that they can increase the stakes?
A number of matters have been raised on this question and I cannot see any purpose being served by going on unnecessarily. Next question, please.