John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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489. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the funding granted to the sport horse industry will be considered for additional funding of €5 million in budget 2020 to enable the industry to achieve objectives (details supplied); if the funding Departments will recognise the benefits of this investment as reflected in figures drawn from a 2016 analysis; if he will meet with the industry to discuss its strategy for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37330/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department is fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continues to provide support to it both financially and with policy initiatives. I have demonstrated my commitment to the industry by increasing the budget allocated to Horse Sport Ireland from €2.0m in 2017 to €2.5m in 2018 and I have approved a further increase of €500,000 to €3.0m in 2019.  This is an increase of 50% on the 2017 allocation. I am conscious of the potential of this industry; a recent independent economic assessment estimated the annual economic contribution of the sector to be the region of €816m.

I have recently received a funding submission from HSI for 2020, detail of which the Deputy refers to.  I will consider this detail in the context of the 2020 budget negotiations.  My officials have already met with HSI in this regard.