Written answers

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Harness Racing Industry

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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70. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent acquisition of Portmarnock racecourse by NAMA and its imminent auction; if special consideration can be given to an organisation (details supplied) which has community based organisational status; if the social and sectoral benefits that would result from the sale of this infrastructure to the organisation will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7132/18]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the activities of the National Asset Management Agency are outside the remit of my Department.

With regards to the organisation referenced, my Department funded the Indecon Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector, which was published on 1st November 2017. This report provides the sport with a road map for its potential development and I will be supporting the recommendations within my Department's remit from the outset.

I would also welcome progress reports from the Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) on their implementation of remaining recommendations outlined in the Indecon Review, and as I have said previously, I will consider any future funding requests in this context.  As such, I can also confirm that there is no provision in this year's budget for capital acquisitions for the Harness Racing Sector.

I would like to highlight that in addition to the funding provided for the Indecon Review, and the support for the report's recommendations within my remit, the IHRA have also received a number of additional supports from my Department, namely:

- With a view to raising the awareness of the critical importance of good horse welfare amongst road racing sulky participants and the owners and keepers of trotting horses, my Department is currently involved in a tender process to provide a relevant education programme in 2018. The tender process is at an advanced stage and a key element of the programme’s intent is to encourage participants to move from the practice of road racing and to encourage engagement in regulated Irish Harness Racing Association activities.

- Approval for grants totalling €40,077 under the Equine Technical Support Scheme were issued in 2017.

- Support valued in excess of €25,000 for 'Road Racing Education Programme' were also issued in 2017.

Similarly in 2016, the IHRA received grants totalling €21,704 under the Equine Infrastructure grant scheme, with a view to supporting this sector in a targeted way.

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