BUSINESSES in rural areas which support the racing or sport horse industries will soon be eligible to apply for LEADER funding from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Minister Heather Humphreys announced this week that she intends to reinstate equine activities as eligible for the scheme which will see a total of €250 million invested in rural communities across Ireland over a six-year period.

“The racing and sport horse industries were deemed as ineligible activities under the 2007-2013 LEADER programme,” the Minister explained.

“However, support for ancillary activities for the provision of services was eligible where this was in keeping with the Local Development Strategies developed in each area.

“These activities included a broad range of actions, such as equestrian centre and riding school projects.

“In light of the considerable level of investment already undertaken in ancillary activities under the previous programme, it was decided that support for such activities would not be eligible under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme.

“The LEADER Programme transferred to my Department last June and I launched the new LEADER Programme in July 2016.

Since then, I have given consideration to this matter and it has become clear that there is still some demand for further investment in ancillary activities, particularly where this contributes to rural tourism.

“Therefore, I intend to amend the ineligible list of activities to allow for funding of ancillary activities for the equine industry.

“This will be on a targeted basis, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that the supported infrastructure is widely accessible to the public.”

Among the equine enterprises to benefit from LEADER funding in the past are a horse rug cleaning business in Wexford and the Equus Live exhibition which took place at Punchestown in 2013.

A Government spokesperson told The Irish Field: “This should benefit spin-off businesses rather than stud farms or horse trainers. Priority is often given to projects which are accessible to the public.”

Decisions on LEADER funding are made at a local level by a group affiliated with the county council. Further information is available on the pobal.ie website.