2702. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine he will clarify the basis on which horse and pony racing is regarded as a non-regulated sector for the purposes of Government funding and support; the regulations, licensing requirements and oversight arrangements currently applicable to the sector, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60322/26]

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. HRI receives financial support from the State under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The role of the IHRB is provided for under the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 and subsequent Statutory Instruments, however the body itself remains a private entity. The IHRB is responsible for making and enforcing the rules of racing, licensing all participants and upholding the integrity of the sport. Legislation provides for a funding mechanism to be in place under which the costs of integrity services provided by the IHRB are guaranteed by HRI based on an agreed annual budget.

Pony racing is organized and managed independently at regional level by volunteer associations. The Irish Horse & Pony Racing Association (IHPRA) acts as the overall national body dealing with administration and integrity aspects. It does not, however, come under the rules and regulations of the IHRB.

Pony racing is not regulated or funded under any statutory umbrella and does not come under the statutory remit of HRI. HRI has informed my Department that it provided financial support for horse and pony racing towards the provision of insurance for a number of years to allow a funding and regulatory plan to be put in place by the organisation. I have been informed by HRI that while they have engaged with members of the IHRPA, they are not in a position to provide funding to support any activity that continues to be unregulated.

Separately, HRI actively supports the training and development of young jockeys through its industry education and training department, Equuip and by its association with the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE).