THE possibilities of privately owned equestrian centres being eligible for future public funding hinges on the outcome of a departmental review currently under way.

Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae (Ind) tabled a Dail question asking for equestrian centres to be considered for funding under the Sports Capital Programme. In its pre-Budget submission, Horse Sport Ireland outlined the case for equestrian centres to be included.

However, one of the main stumbling blocks for the equestrian sector is that this particular scheme has never been open for funding to commerical entities before.

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Jack Chambers (FF) replied: “The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

“Under the Programme, funding has been provided to many horse riding clubs as well as to Horse Sport Ireland, the National Governing Body for equestrian sport in Ireland. It has, however, been a long standing principle of the Programme that funding is not provided to commercial entities. Obviously the provision of funding to commercial bodies would reduce the funding available for voluntary bodies, many of whom rely on government support to develop their sports facilities.

“In relation to the eligibility criteria for future rounds of the SCEP, my Department has begun a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round.

“Following the completion of the review, the Department will announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications in the new year.”