Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to publish the Review of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44372/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress to date in drawing up legislation to secure the future funding of the horse and greyhound fund; when he expects to present this to the Houses of the Oireachtas as promised earlier in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44030/09]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason that an organisation (details supplied) under his remit only produced its annual budget report for 2007 within the past few weeks; if the length of time between the end of that period and the publication of an annual report is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44032/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 234 to 236, inclusive, together.

Since 2001, Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries has been 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.

Funding of both Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon supports two very important productive industries and helps to sustain the important role of horse and greyhound breeding & training enterprises in the development of the rural economy. These industries, together, account for an estimated 27,500 direct jobs, generate very substantial economic activity and make a vital contribution to the rural economy including farm incomes. Of the 27,500 direct jobs, 16,500 are in the horse racing industry, with the remaining 11,000 in the greyhound industry.

The funding has allowed Horse Racing Ireland to undertake a capital investment programme that has underpinned growth in the sector. The funding has allowed Ireland to develop into a world centre of excellence for horseracing. A review of the Fund has been completed and is currently being considered in the context of deciding on the future funding options for these industries. The level of funding to the horse and greyhound racing industries in 2010 will be dependent on overall budgetary conditions taking into account the significant contributions that these industries make to the economy in general and the rural economy in particular. The Horse Racing Ireland Annual Report for 2007 was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in May of this year and published thereafter. The Horse Racing Ireland Annual Report for 2008 will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly and published thereafter.