Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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725. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding for Horse Racing Ireland can be allocated to urban horse rearing projects such as an equine club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60839/22]

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. As such, its statutory remit is limited to the thoroughbred horse racing sector.

In line with the Programme for Government, however, my Department is fully committed to providing for additional urban horse welfare projects and continues to take a proactive approach in promoting the development of facilities for urban horse populations and in enabling and educating young people in the care and welfare of horses.

Work to support urban horse welfare projects is carried out in close collaboration with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders, reflecting Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025.

The Department has shown considerable commitment to this area through the provision of the largest capital outlay in support of an urban horse programme. €503,000 was provided to South Dublin County Council (SDCC) in 2016 for the development of the club’s infrastructure.

This funding was committed on agreement with SDCC that the club, when up and running, would be self-sustaining. Funding under the terms of the Urban Horse Projects is limited to the provision of education courses and infrastructure

To assist with the initial sustainability of the project, however, the Department worked with the club and SDCC towards the hiring of managers responsible for the further development of the club.  This agreement was subject to the club agreeing further efforts to secure alternative funding.

In 2021 following further representations from the club and engagement with SDCC, the Department agreed to provide a final tranche of short-term funding to the project through SDCC. This agreement was in the context of limitations imposed by COVID-19, the club agreeing further efforts to secure alternative funding and the proposed formulation of a strategy and robust governance for the organisation going forward.

To date, the Department has provided €585,000 in funding to this project. In addition, officials from the Department continue to work with the club, SDCC and other statutory agencies in assisting the club to source alternative funding. The Department will continue to engage with the club board and SDCC with a view to identifying a long-term, sustainable model for this project.