Funding for shows

MADAM,

The Irish Shows Association wishes to clarify some points raised in a recent article and subsequent Dáil question.

Deputy Eugene Murphy recently raised a question in the Dáil about the reduction in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development to agricultural shows for 2019.

This was based on an article in The Sunday Business Post on May 26th. We do not know the impetus or the source for this article, nor were we asked for comment or clarification prior to publication.

Gratitude

The Irish Shows Association wishes to reiterate our sincere gratitude, on behalf of our 120 eligible member shows, for the allocation of €600,000 in funding for 2019.

This came on top of €812,000 in 2018. This is a significant amount of money and underscores Minister Ring’s and his department’s commitment to rural communities.

The Irish Shows Association works closely with Minister Ring and his office to ensure the fairest possible distribution of this funding.

This grant allows shows to invest in developing their grounds, in safety equipment, in IT systems etc., helping them to strengthen for the future in a changing society.

Any show organiser will tell you that all funding and sponsorship is received gratefully and every donation of whatever value is appreciated by the volunteers who work to continue our traditional shows.

We suggest that instead of focusing on a perceived cut in funding of €200,000, people would be better served to focus on the increase in funding of €1,412,000 since 2017.

Yours etc

Catherine Cotter

National P.R.O.

Irish Shows Association