Promises have been made by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to discuss the extension of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) to include horse breeders and owners.

TAMS provides grants of 40% for farming families to build or improve farm infrastructure and equipment (young farmers can avail of up to 60%).

Currently, equine farmers can only apply for stocks, as opposed to sheep and bovine farmers who can apply for funding for livestock pens, fencing and farm building improvements.

Following initial work to raise awareness of the unfair grant process by both the Equine Farming Taskforce and the IFA horse project team, Michael Lowry TD said in the Dáil recently: “A number of recent economic reports into the Irish horse sector have shown that the vast majority of people involved in this industry, especially in horse breeding, have small holdings with five breeding mares or less.

There are currently 27,000 farmers registered on the Department’s database with equine premises

“The equine sector comes under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, but has not benefitted from any capital investment grants or direct support from the Common Agricultural Policy.

“There are currently 27,000 farmers registered on the Department’s database with equine premises.”

He went on to point out: “Essential infrastructure, such a stabling, arenas, horse fencing, out-wintering paddocks and horse handling facilities should be incorporated and eligible for funding under the scheme.

“Will the Taoiseach request that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine examine inclusion of this integral part of Irish agriculture in such a scheme and engage directly with representatives of the thoroughbred and sport horse sector?”

In response An Taoiseach said: “I understand that grant aid is available for horse stocks under the animal welfare and nutrient storage scheme and the young farmer capital investment scheme.

“That said, I will talk to the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon, and the Minister Deputy McConalogue, about the issues the deputy has raised this morning to see whether more can be done.”