Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 707: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received Horse Racing Ireland's new strategic plan; if so, if he will take action in relation to the development of the horse racing industry on foot of the proposals outlined in that plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1819/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that Horse Racing Ireland expect to present their new strategic plan, for the period 2008-2012, to me during the first quarter of this year. Implementation of the strategy is of course the responsibility of Horse Racing Ireland. Officials from my Department will monitor that implementation on an ongoing basis. Funding towards implementation of the plan shall be provided from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund which is due to be reviewed by end of 2008.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 708: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the percentage of total funding for the horse racing industry generated from off-course betting in 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1821/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 709: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the percentage of Horse Racing Ireland's funding that was derived from the Exchequer in 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1822/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 710: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the percentage of the current sports budget allocated to Horse Racing Ireland in 2006 and 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1823/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 708 to 710, inclusive, together.

The percentage of total Exchequer funding for the horse racing industry (i.e. from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund) generated from off-course betting in 2006 was 77.4 % and in 2007 is estimated to be 49.7 %, with the balance being made up by the Exchequer in 2006 of 22.6 % and an estimated 50.3% in 2007. It should be noted that the 2007 figures for off-course betting receipts duty are estimates. I have been informed by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, that the decline in revenue from off course betting in 2007 is due primarily to the reduction of betting duty from 2 % to 1 %, with effect from 1 July 2006, as provided for in the Finance Act 2006. The Deputy should also be aware that at the time of the enactment of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 the rate of betting duty was 5%.

In 2006 the current sports budget (and expenditure) was €102.4 million. The total Exchequer funding to Horse Racing Ireland (i.e. from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund) was €56.1 million and of this, €48.7 million was allocated to current expenditure, with €7.4 million allocated to capital expenditure, giving a percentage of 47.6 % of current sports funding allocated to HRI current funding.

In 2007 the current sports budget (and provisional outturn) was €118.2 million. The total Exchequer funding to Horse Racing Ireland (i.e. from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund) was €58.5 million and of this, €50.6 million was allocated to current expenditure, with €7.9 million allocated to capital expenditure, giving a percentage of 42.8 % of current sports funding allocated to HRI current funding.