Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 161: To ask the Minister for Finance the expected funding level of the Horse and Greyhound Fund; the initiatives he has progressed to reduce the direct Exchequer contribution by increasing taxation, proposing new taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32332/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The issue regarding funding for the Horse and Greyhound Fund will be decided in the context of the Estimates for Public Services 2010. The Deputy may wish to note that the 2009 Budget publications announced that arrangements would end whereby the annual payment to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund would be automatically calculated by reference to the previous year's betting duty or the contribution to the Fund in the year 2000 adjusted for inflation.

In relation to betting duty generally, it has been my intention to widen if possible the tax base on which betting duty would be applied. Bets placed either on-line or over the phone are generally with out-of-State companies so applying betting duty is therefore problematic. My officials, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, are looking at the scope to overcome legal and operational difficulties in this area and will continue to do so, on an ongoing basis.