Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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574. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has information available on the value and economic contribution of the thoroughbred industry; the number of persons the sector currently employs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8897/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is a considerable amount of information generally available on the value of the thoroughbred industry. Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the industry. Each year HRI publishes its annual report and accounts, audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, which are laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. This publication contains considerable detail on the performance of various facets of the industry in the reference year. In addition Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) publish a “Factbook” annually which contains a wealth of information on this very important industry. HRI issues bulletins in the course of the year tracking the key performance indicators for the sector. The HRI website also carries up-to-date information on developments on an on-going basis. The “Weatherbys Factbook” , published by Weatherbys GSB Ltd. & Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd, is an annual publication containing very interesting statistics on the Irish bloodstock industry. In 2013 the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) published “Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Irish Thoroughbred Industry” . This report contained the results of a study commissioned by the ITBA and follows on from similar studies commissioned by the ITBA in 2009 and 2010. The sales companies also publish information on the industry on their websites.

Most recent information available shows:

- The Irish bloodstock breeding and racing industry is of major national importance in terms of employment (especially in rural areas), exports and tourism. Approximately 14,000 people are employed in the thoroughbred industry in Ireland, mostly in rural areas and it attracts significant inward investment to the country. The value of the industry is estimated at almost €1.1bn annually. “Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Irish Thoroughbred Industry”, ITBA (2013) and HRI Factbook 2012, HRI (2013);

- Ireland remains the biggest producer of thoroughbred foals in Europe and is the fourth largest producer in the world (behind USA, Australia and Argentina); and

- Approximately 40% of the EU output of thoroughbreds and 11% of the total worldwide are produced in Ireland.

“Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Irish Thoroughbred Industry”, ITBA (2013) and HRI Factbook 2012, HRI (2013)

HRI report that growth has returned to key areas in 2013 compared to 2012 HRI Press Release 15^th January, 2013:

- Value of bloodstock sales sold through public auction, up 43% to €133.4m;

- Attendances at racecourses 1.24m, up 4%;

- Tote betting up 6.5%, but on-course betting down 4.6%;

- Prize money up 2.5% to €46m and commercial sponsorship increased by 1.6%;

- Numbers of horses in training down 0.4% to 9,119; and

- Number of owners decreased by 5.7% to 3,966.

HRI announced 5% increase in prize money to €48.5m in 2014 and a reduction of 10% in administration charges to owners and trainers in an effort to encourage new owners. HRI Press release 13^th December 2013.

The sales companies in Ireland have all seen significant increases in their annual sales aggregates in 2013 with clearance rates increasing significantly, a sure indication of increasing market confidence. These very encouraging figures are testament to the regard in which Irish bloodstock is held internationally.

HRI Press Release 15^th January, 2013

HRI Press release 13^th December 2013

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