Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 775: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if Horse Racing Ireland has received almost €500 million in grant assistance since 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38929/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, which was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.

In 2004, the Government put in place regulations to increase the limit of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund from €254m to €550m to continue the Fund for a further four years to 2008. By the end of 2008 a total of €545.8m was paid out of the Fund. The remaining balance in the Fund at the start of 2009 was €4.2m. €68.1m has been allocated to the Fund for 2009 and a regulation which increased the level of the fund by €63.907m has been made.

Of the €545.8m paid out of the Fund to end 2008, Horse Racing Ireland received €436.6m. Horse Racing Ireland's allocation from the Fund in 2009 is €54.5m.