Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1565. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a funding request for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25614/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working with the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) to provide some support for the industry. The IHRA are beneficiaries, for the first time, of an Equine Infrastructure grant scheme operated by my Department. Under the Scheme, the IHRA has been approved for grants totalling €21,704.

My Department will shortly begin the process of tendering for an independent evaluator to complete an economic evaluation of the potential of the Harness Racing sector in Ireland. This evaluation will be progressed as a priority.

I believe that IHRA has the potential to develop the sport in Ireland and bring it more into line with the profile it enjoys elsewhere. On publication of the Economic Valuation report, I will examine all future funding possibilities for this sector.