Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
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220. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding or supports will be provided by his Department in respect of a project (details supplied) that has considerable economic potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19786/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand from my trade missions to China that there are significant opportunities for the development of exports of sport horses to that country. Earlier this year, I launched the Strategic Plan for the sport horse sector that was drawn up by Horse Sport Ireland, Teagasc and the Royal Dublin Society. The Strategy Report highlights the need to improve the marketing and sales capacity across the industry and emphasises the need to grow exports of sport horses to a range of markets, including China.

Horse Sport Ireland participated in a trade mission to China which I undertook in November 2014 and has advised me that as a result of this initiative a number of sport horses were exported to China having been first quarantined in Ireland.

In addition to the annual grant that I provide to Horse Sport Ireland, and the funding allocated to them under the Equine Infrastructure Scheme, I have provided HSI with an extra allocation of €600,000 this year to facilitate the implementation of their programme including enhancing their marketing strategy.

Horse Sport Ireland is the process of establishing an International Marketing Division and a new International Marketing Director will take up duty in the organisation next month.

The individuals involved in the project referred to by the Deputy may wish to make contact with the new appointee in due course.