Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 5

Written Answers. - Army Equitation School.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

113 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the future development of the Army Equitation School; the members of the working group he has established in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16595/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The mission of the Army Equitation School, as assigned to it on its establishment in 1926, is to advertise the Irish non-thoroughbred horse. The school has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years. Through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish horse. The school has, down the years, provided horses and riders of the highest quality for Irish international show jumping teams and, while acknowledging the contribution of individual civilian riders, the Army riders have been a consistent feature of international teams over many years.

My Department continues to source high quality Irish bred horses for the Army Equitation School for competition at home and abroad and I intend to ensure that sufficient numbers of good quality horses continue to be acquired by the school in order to maintain the proud tradition of that establishment. Funding for the Army Equitation School is provided from the national lottery. There is a total allocation of £550,000 available this year which includes a provision of £260,000 in respect of the purchase of horses. I have arranged that officials of my Department will meet with officials of the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation and other relevant Departments to explore the question of extra funding for the Army Equitation School, particularly in the context of the Sydney Olympic Games in the year 2000.