Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
752. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount in Euros and as a percentage of the horse and greyhound racing fund that was allocated and used for horse racing prize money in 2020 and 2021. [53063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) as provided for under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. This Department makes payments from the Fund to HRI and to Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). This is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, with 80% allocated to HRI and 20% to RCÉ.
Following Oireachtas approval of the Fund, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issues a "parameters letter" to HRI advising the body of the allocation from the Fund and the split between current and capital funding distribution. The letter also advises HRI that it must comply with certain conditions in relation to this funding.
These conditions include compliance with obligations under legislation and the various Codes and directives issued by the Government and by the Department.
In relation to the current expenditure allocation, the Department requests that no more than 80% is to be applied for prize money and a minimum of 20% to be applied for integrity services.
The information the Deputy has requested in relation to the amount in euros and as a percentage of the horse and greyhound racing fund that was allocated and used for horse racing prize money for each of the years 2020 and 2021 is detailed below.
Horse & Greyhound Racing Fund
Horse Racing Ireland Allocation for years 2020 to 2021
Current/Capital/Amount contributed to prize money in euros and percentage terms
|
Year |
Amount allocated to HRI from Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (€m) |
Current Allocation€m |
Capital Allocation(€m) |
Amount contributed by HRI to prize money in €m and as percentage of current allocation |
|
2020 |
67.2 |
54.1 |
13.1 |
35.346 (65) |
|
2021 |
76.8 |
61.4 |
15.4 |
43.166 (70) |
