Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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322. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual funding provided to the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32804/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Government support for the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, established under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. In accordance with the Act, 80% and 20% of the monies paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland(HRI) and Bord na gCon, respectively. The amounts provided under this measure are approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas on an annual basis. An allocation of €43.376m was provided for HRI in 2014.  In the same period, the total amount paid by HRI in relation to both integrity and racecourse services (being costs for camera patrol, starting stalls and photo finish operations) amounted to €8.914m with €5.982m paid to the Turf Club directly in relation to their integrity role.  The Turf Club allocation in any given year is on the basis of a prior submission by the Turf Club which is subject to approval by the HRI Board.

The horse and greyhound racing industries generate very substantial economic activity and make a vital contribution to the rural economy including farm incomes. These industries attract significant inward investment into the country. The most recent estimates available report that the horse racing industry contributes approximately €1.1m to the economy and supports 14,000 jobs. A sum of €54.4m was provided for HRI in 2015.