Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Members for their contributions. Senator Daly mentioned the Tipperary all-weather racetrack, which Horse Racing Ireland continues to engage in the planning process on.We have had engagements with it about the capital plans and the funding aspect. I believe the planning matters are with An Bord Pleanála and are awaited. The Department is engaging with it about the business case for the track too, which will continue. Likewise, there is no doubt that we need to replace the Irish Equine Centre with a new centre that will meet the needs of our industry. That work will continue. I met the industry recently with regard to that.

Senator Boylan raised the strategic plan for Rásaíocht Con Éireann and its publication. A new CEO was recently appointed to Rásaíocht Con Éireann. I wish him well. There has been engagement on the back of that with the Department and Rásaíocht Con Éireann with a view to getting that finalised. Hopefully we will see progress on that in the near future.

I thank Senators for the contributions. I know there are a number of amendments. There is always the opportunity, which I know is taken up regularly, through the Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to engage with Rásaíocht Con Éireann and Horse Racing Ireland. Much reporting and detail are provided with regard to how the funding is spent each year. The opportunity is available on an ongoing basis to engage with both organisations, feed in ideas, seek accountability and ask questions about any aspect of that funding.

We are having this engagement to seek the lifting of the cap on the horse and greyhound racing fund under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act to €95 million, which is necessary under the legislation to ensure that we can continue to provide this funding for both industries each year. The funding is really important. We have seen both industries develop significantly, both the greyhound industry nationally and the world-leading horse racing and thoroughbred sector. Some 30,000 different jobs come from that, with over €2 billion of economic turnover and wealth being created, which is built on the basis of collaboration on both policy and funding between the industry and Government over many years. It will be important to continue that and to hold and build on that position to ensure the sector continues to be an important part of our rural economy in the years ahead.

I thank Senators for their engagement today. I recommend the increasing of the ceiling to ensure that funding can be provided again next year.