Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider the current implementation of the thoroughbred foal levy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15565/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Foal Levy Scheme was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis. The Levy is payable by all breeders whose foals are born and registered in Ireland. The rate of the levy is calculated by reference to the advertised value of the nomination fee of the stallion. There are six levy rate bands. The setting of the rates of the levy and the distribution of the funds is decided by the Board of Horse Racing Ireland based on the advice of its Foal Levy Committee which includes representatives of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA).

The proceeds of the levy are used by Horse racing Ireland to help fund the Irish Equine Centre, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing. These organisations provide key support structures to the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry.