More LEADER grants in sport horse sector

MAJOR potential to develop a sport horse alternative farm enterprise was claimed by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) chairman Joe Walsh at the recent launch of a guide to rural development programme grant aid for the sector.

The sport horse industry is a growing rural resource widely dispersed throughout every parish, and is a world brand leader, said Mr Walsh.

Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Pat Carey said the LEADER rural development programme has funding of €425m up to the end of 2013, and can support certain activities of the sport horse industry, assisting it to maintain and strengthen its valuable contribution to rural economies.

The sport horse industry was by and large excluded from LEADER grant aid. But HSI has successfully made a case for its inclusion, and has published A Guide to Axes 3 and 4 of the Rural Development Programme: Grant Supports for Ancillary Services to the Sport Horse Sector, in conjunction with the Department of Community, Equality, Gaeltacht Affairs.

This details what sport horse projects may be funded by LEADER at grant aid rates of 50% to 100%. Further information can be obtained from Martin Moloney at Horse Sport Ireland ([e-mail] or 045-854523), or at www.pobail.ie or 071-9107841.