Written answers
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Army Equitation School
9:00 pm
Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of new horses that have been purchased or leased by his Department for the Army Equitation School since 2006; the cost of each individual purchase or lease and the number of horses which are now property of the school in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29621/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Army Equitation School has in place a Horse Purchase Board consisting of the Officer Commanding the Equitation School, his Deputy, an official from the Department of Defence and a retired Officer Commanding the Equitation School. The School arranges for the Horse Purchase Board to inspect and assess horses that are presented by breeders and producers with a view to either purchase or lease. Details of all purchases and leases of new horses since 2006 are set out in a tabular statement. The total number of horses currently owned or leased is 39.
| Year | No. of horses purchased | Cost of each new purchase | No. of horses leased | Cost per annum of each new lease | Duration of Lease Payments |
| 2006 | 4 | €70,000€125,000€18,000€32,500 | 2 | €40,000€10,000 | 1 yr1 yr |
| 2007 | 3 | €55,020€67,500€24,000 | NIL | --- | --- |
| 2008 | 4 | €19,000€67,500€45,000€24,000 | 3 | €10,000€17,000€6,000 | Still ongoing2 yrs2 yrs |
| 2009 | 2 | €30,000€71,958 | NIL | --- | --- |
| 2010 | 5 | €25,000€12,000€14,000€65,000€65,000 | 1 | Nil (Free Lease) | Still ongoing |
| 2011 to date | 1 | €100,000 | 1 | €29,000 | Still ongoing |
Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of travel costs incurred by members of the Army Equitation School on an annual basis since 2006 while travelling to national and international horse shows; the specific costs incurred on each trip, including accommodation, food, and other subsistence, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29623/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The mission of the Army Equitation School, as assigned to it on its establishment in 1926, is to promote the Irish horse abroad through the participation in international competition. The school has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years by competing in national and international events in show-jumping and three day eventing. Details of the travel and other costs incurred by members of the Army Equitation School on an annual basis since 2006, whilst travelling to national and international competitions, are set out in the tabular statement below. For each year, the total cost is broken down in the manner in which the data is recorded by my Department.
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Jan to Sep 2011 | |
| Motor Travel | €13,829.98 | €15,483.09 | €10,694.92 | €1,539.76 | Nil | Nil |
| Public Transport | Nil | €324.82 | €107.32 | €83.90 | €765.40 | Nil |
| Taxi | €228.00 | €349.71 | €552.51 | €139.21 | €150.59 | €78.03 |
| Home Subsistence | €20,769.48 | €31,625.37 | €18,986.78 | €15,387.01 | €17,780.52 | €11,227.39 |
| Foreign Subsistence | €97,956.38 | €133,710.35 | €170,732.22 | €86,639.25 | €104,411.39 | €61,917.54 |
| Incidentals* | €34,616.22 | €25,387.46 | €70,882.26 | €26,871.11 | €26,415.58 | €11,850.32 |
| Total | €167,400.06 | €206,880.80 | €271,956.01 | €130,660.24 | €149,523.48 | €85,073.28 |
*Please note that incidentals could include for example vouched costs for accommodation and food.
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