John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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654. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the increased supports that will be put in place for equine breeders, such as inclusion in farm investment schemes like TAMS, directing a portion of prize funds to breeders, and supporting thoroughbred foal levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56908/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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As part of the programme for Government, my Department is committed to supporting both the thoroughbred and sport horse industries.

A range of supports are currently available to the equine sector under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). This Scheme was first available in mid-March 2023 for this sector. Grant aid of 40% is available with an additional top-up of 20% for qualified young farmers and women farmers who meet the eligibility criteria. Investments specifically targeted at the equine sector include elements such as equine housing, training facilities and fencing.

My Department has provided for funding of €79.28 million to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) as part of budget 2026. €65.28 million is in respect of current expenditure. HRI is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry on the thoroughbred side. HRI is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. While my Department has advised HRI that not more than 80% of the current expenditure allocation of the Fund can be used for prize money, the exact distribution of the prize money is a matter for HRI.

The Thoroughbred Foal Levy is a statutory levy on all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland in the General Stud Book through Weatherby’s Ireland. The levy is administered by HRI and provides a secure financial footing for the breeding industry and essential support structures. The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association which is the representative body of the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry receives financial assistance from HRI annually via the Foal Levy to assist the body in fulfilling its mandate with €575,000 provided in 2024.

Finally, regarding the sport horse side of the sector, following a public procurement process, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is currently contracted to deliver the contract 'National Breeding Services'. The current contract facilitates the provision of a suite of initiatives to support this sector. Within these initiatives, funding has been allocated to breeders in the form of prize money which rewards them for making positive breeding decisions. In 2025, as part of NBS over €550,000 has been allocated to breeders primarily through the initiative 'Breeding Grants'.