Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence the objectives of the Army Equitation School; the annual cost of the Army Equitation School to the taxpayer; the benefits that accrue to the taxpayer; the earnings/prizemonies they receive and where this money goes; if the Army purchased a new horse lorry recently and the cost of same; the projected costs of the Army Equitation School for 2013; the sustainability of the school in the current economic environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4783/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The mission of the Army Equitation School is to promote the Irish horse abroad through participation in international competitions. The Equitation School has discharged this task with considerable distinction down through the years and, through its participation and numerous successes in equitation events at home and abroad, it has successfully promoted the qualities of the Irish horse. Army riders competing on Irish bred horses provide an instantly recognisable symbol of Ireland at prestigious international events.

In addition to its competition activity, the Equitation School continues to support the Irish horse industry and it encourages breeders and producers, who may have horses suitable for top-level competition, to have them assessed by the School with a view to their purchase or lease. The annual running cost of the Army Equitation School in 2012 (excluding salaries) was €908,478. Salaries accounted for a further €1.35 million approximately. The allocation to run the Equitation School (excluding salaries) has been reduced to €860,000 in 2013. A new horse transport vehicle was recently purchased for the Equitation School at a once-off cost of €213,359 (inclusive of VAT).

The total prize money won by the Equitation School at national and international events in 2012 amounted to €73,835. Under agreed arrangements, fifty percent of the prize money won is awarded to participating Army Riders. I believe that the Army Equitation School is an important and emblematic feature of the Defence Forces and that it plays an important role in the promotion of Irish horses and the Irish horse industry.