Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
221. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the budget allocated in 2024 and 2025 for purchasing new horses for the Defence Forces equitation school; and the percentage of the 2024 budget that was actually spent. [13140/25]
View answerThe Army Equitation School continues to source Irish bred horses that meet the required standard as judged by the School's Horse Purchase Board. Horses are acquired through either purchase or lease agreement. The Army Equitation School’s budget for the purchase and lease of horses in 2025 is set at €500,000, as it was in 2024. I am satisfied that the current arrangements allow the School to maintain its competitiveness at national and international events, while balancing the need for budgetary prudence.
In 2024, some €475, 000 of the horse purchase budget was spent.
