Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
572. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for emergency funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30307/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been working with the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) to provide some support for the industry. The IHRA are beneficiaries, for the first time, of an Equine Infrastructure grant scheme operated by my Department. Under the Scheme, the IHRA has been approved for grants totalling €21,704.
My Department has commenced the process of tendering for an independent evaluator to complete an economic evaluation of the potential of the Harness Racing sector in Ireland. This evaluation is being progressed as a priority and it is hoped that an evaluator will have been appointed by early December.
On publication of the Economic Valuation report, I will further consider the request for funding for this sector.
