Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I spoke numerous times, most recently last week, to the local authority on the issue. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the club, it is not able to apply for many of the community funding streams through the local authority. The sum of €56,000 would fund the two staff members for a year and it would keep 20 horses in stables. That amount would allow the club to continue to provide supports for local groups such as youth clubs, children with physical and learning disabilities and young people from socially excluded groups. The Minister signed off on a €52,000 pay increase for the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland only last month. In that context, €56,000 is only pocket change to this Government but would make a real difference not only to the people that use the Clondalkin Equine Club but the Clondalkin area as a whole. This is something that cannot be allowed to stop given the importance of providing the service in the area.

See this speech in context