Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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491. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding Horse Sport Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37426/19]

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 have recently received a funding submission from HSI for 2020.  I will consider the detail of this submission in the context of the 2020 budget negotiations. 

In 2016, my Department commissioned Indecon International Consultants to undertake a review of Horse Sport Ireland.  The report was published in 2017. My Department continues to work closely with Horse Sport Ireland on the implementation of the recommendations. I am pleased to note that much progress has been made in that regard.