The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was established under the 2001 Horse and Greyhound Racing Act for the purpose of giving support to both racing industries. In accordance with section 12 (6) of the Act, 80% and 20% of the moneys paid into the fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon respectively. The amounts paid each year, up to and including the end of September 2004, to Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon are set out in the following table.
Year
|
Amount of Fund
|
Amount paid from the Fund
|
Allocation paid to Horse Racing Ireland
|
Allocation paid to Bord na gCon
|
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
€
|
2001
|
58,890,000
|
58,890,000
|
47,112,000
|
11,778,000
|
2002
|
68,065,814
|
68,065,814
|
54,452,611
|
13,613,203
|
2003
|
64,186,000
|
64,186,000
|
51,349,000
|
12,837,000
|
2004
|
66,914,000
|
59,004,400
|
45,621,600
|
13,382,800
|
Total
|
258,055,814
|
250,146,214
|
198,535,211
|
51,611,003
|
The Government has agreed to continue the fund for a further four years and to increase the limit of the fund to €550 million.