Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 (No.20 of 2001), the horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Fund. Monies are paid out in the ratio of 80% to Horse Racing Ireland and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann as specified in Section 12 (6) of the Act.
The funding underpins the development of the relevant sectors and these funds are provided exclusively for these State Bodies. I currently have no plans to amended the legislation.
The Department funded the Indecon Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector and a Five-Year Strategic Plan for Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA). In addition, from 2016 to date, grants totalling some €162,000 have been paid to the IHRA under my Department's Equine Infrastructure Scheme. The Equine Infrastructure Scheme is funding three projects in 2021 totaling €30, 000.
The Department also awarded a tender to carry out an education programme aimed at road racing sulky participants and owners of trotting horses with a view to raising awareness of the importance of good horse welfare.
This pilot programme ran successfully in 2017, at a cost of €27,000 and the programme continued with courses held in 2018 and 2019.
