Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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566. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be allocated specifically for the support and development of horse and pony racing here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28352/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the Department provides funding to HRI on an annual basis.

The Department has allocated €76.8 million to HRI to assist the horse racing and wider thoroughbred industry in 2021. This is an increase of €9.6 million or 14% on the 2020 allocation of €67.2 million.

HRI has informed me that it and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) are in dialogue with the various pony racing organisations on this issue. The issue was also discussed at a recent HRI Board meeting. HRI and the IHRB are due to meet with representatives of pony racing organisations again in the coming weeks.