Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It receives about €5 million, half of which it gets from us and the other half from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Deputy should not forget that there are multiple disciplines, including ponies, eventing, showjumping and dressage. There are other demands to be met, including Connemara ponies in the west to putting Olympic teams together. We have been increasing funding for the sports horse sector which deserves a very significant increase, but I cannot do all of it in my Department. To be fair to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, it cannot do it overnight either. I would, however, like to see the sector receive a very significant increase in funding because, as in the case of racing, it is an industry as well as a sport. Let us do one thing at a time. This is a fund for the racing industry for thoroughbred horses and the greyhound sector. I would really like to get the committee's approval in order that we can move ahead and start to plan for the expenditure next year.