Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 July 2015
92. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the issue of supporting horse sports in racing and in securing funding for future development; and if he will meet the concerned party. [27758/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe thoroughbred and sport horse sectors are significant contributors to employment and the Irish economy generally, and against that background receive financial support from government. The Thoroughbred horse industry is worth over €1bn per annum to the Irish economy and provides employment for in excess of 14,000 people. The industry attracts significant inward investment and is export orientated with export sales of Irish bred horses to 34 countries in 2014. The sport horse industry contributes in excess of €708 million per annum and provides 12,512 full time job equivalents, according to a 2012 report commissioned by Horse Sport Ireland. Almost 50,000 people participate in the sector. Financial support is provided by my Department to the thoroughbred sector, through Horse Racing Ireland, from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was established under section 12 (1) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 (the Act) for the purpose of giving support to the horse and greyhound racing industries.
Regarding sport horses an annual grant is provided by my Department to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), for the development and promotion of the Irish Sport Horse, breeding and production sector, the operation of the Irish Horse Register and for administration costs. Capital grant assistance is also provided under the Equine Infrastructures scheme to organisations in the sport horse sector to assist in the pursuit of improved breeding. Aid is provided in this regard for activities which support education of breeders, performance testing of horses, DNA typing, support for the establishment, maintenance and upgrading of databases, genetic indexing, research into equine disease and website development.
My Department does not provide support for harness racing, which has been a minority-interest sport in this country, with fixtures staged throughout the year at venues outside of authorised racecourses. I understand that the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) has recently been established with the aim of developing the sport of harness racing in Ireland and that it has had a number of meetings with my department to discuss the potential for the industry.
