608. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policy his Department has for the equestrian sector given the importance of the sector to the economy as well as its sport and leisure benefits; his or his Department's engagement with equestrian centre representatives to enhance the sector,; if he recognises that equestrian centres are the grass roots of the sport and are under pressure given that the number of equestrian centres has reduced from 250 to 180 over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53019/26]

I am very supportive of the sport horse sector and acknowledge the important contribution it makes to the economy. In this context, I provide supports to the breeding and production side primarily through the contracting of services for National Breeding and Marketing which are currently delivered by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) and the Irish Horse Board (IHB) respectively. These services are worth up to €5.2m annually.

My Department’s remit does not extend to equestrian centres and accordingly my Department does not have  direct engagement with them or their representative body.