Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of State financial support going into horse racing; the reasons for such State support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20548/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The horse racing industry received €47.4m in financial support from the State in 2010 through funding provided to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) via the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. HRI is a commercial State company, established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. HRI has a regulatory and developmental role in the thoroughbred industry.

The functions of HRI are defined in The Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 (in addition to its functions under The Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994) and include: the overall administration of Irish horseracing, the development and promotion of the Irish horseracing industry (including the development of authorised racecourses, the guaranteeing of prize money at race-fixtures and the costs of integrity services), the control of the operations of authorised bookmakers, the allocation of race-fixtures and the setting of race-programmes, the operation of racecourses which are owned or leased by HRI, the promotion of the Irish thoroughbred horse, the making of grants or loans to authorised racecourses and to any subsidiary of HRI, Registry Office functions in accordance with the Rules of Racing, the provision and maintenance of track equipment, representing Irish horseracing internationally in respect of its functions, negotiating all income from media rights, the provision of any financial support for purposes specified in legislation.

The activities of Horse Racing Ireland activities are very broadly based and encompass all elements of horse racing in Ireland. In addition to the above functions HRI also negotiates contracts in relation to income from media rights and represents Irish horseracing internationally in respect of its functions.

State Funding is pivotal to the survival of the horse racing industry. Monies from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund have facilitated Ireland develop into a world centre of excellence for horseracing and has allowed HRI to undertake a capital investment programme that has underpinned growth in the sector.

Horse racing and breeding is a very significant industry in rural Ireland, supporting approximately 16,000 private sector jobs, often in areas where alternative employment opportunities are limited. The industry has a regional spread with 26 racecourses, over 780 licensed trainers and some 7,700 breeders spread throughout the country. Each of these generates direct employment and supports a diverse network of local suppliers, including vets, farriers, feed merchants, transporters, grooms, jockeys etc.

Ireland is the third largest producer of thoroughbreds in the world; exports of thoroughbred horses to over 35 countries are worth some €149 million in foreign earnings. The industry's value to the economy is estimated at €0.9 billion per annum and the industry generates very significant foreign investment in this country.