Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 399: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the prospects for the sport horse sector in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39867/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The sport horse sector is a very important contributor to the Irish economy. It is worth €400m annually to the Irish economy and supports the equivalent of 16,000 jobs. Responsibility for the development of the sport horse industry rests primarily with Horse Sport Ireland, the organisation established in 2007 in accordance with the proposals outlined in The Dowling Report. Horse Sport Ireland, working with its affiliate organisations, has been proactive with regard to the development and implementation of policies and strategies for the sustainable development of a vibrant sport horse sector in this country.

Statistics from Horse Sport Ireland indicate that foal numbers registered by them continued to decline from their peak of over 10,000 registrations in 2008 and it is expected that this trend will continue in 2012. It is crucial that breeding quality animals remains the focus of Sport Horse breeders in Ireland. To this end, and to aid the breeders with their breeding decisions, Horse Sport Ireland have recently launched an on-line, database called Capaill Oir, which contains the pedigree records of over 320,000 horses. In addition, this facility contains the performance records of 30,000 horses which provides very useful information for breeders.

I am pleased that my Department and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport have been able to support the work of Horse Sport Ireland.