HARNEY ALLOCATES £105,000 TO FETTERCAIRN HORSE PROJECT

Tánaiste Mary Harney today (Monday 21st December 1998) presented a cheque for £105,000 to South Dublin County Council towards the Fettercairn Horse Project at a ceremony to mark the occasion in West Tallaght.

Speaking at the event, the Tánaiste said, "The Fettercairn Horse Project is an excellent example of local initiative in developing horse caring skills among young people in the Fettercairn area. I am delighted to see that the proper care of the animals is a key objective of the project. For far too long the issue of wandering horses has been a serious issue in Tallaght and other suburban areas. Projects such as this one are a very positive contribution to dealing with the issue and at the same time providing equine skills to young local people."

The Fettercairn Horse Project was started in mid 1995 with the principal objective of providing leadership and management in the care and ownership of horses for young people in Fettercairn and West Tallaght. A longer term objective is affording young people career prospects in the equine industry. At present the club represents some 35 horse owners with about 30 horses on site.

The Tánaiste said that the Fettercairn project reflected the positive role of young people eager and willing collectively to participate in community life. "Horses have traditionally played an important part in Irish life including in urban and suburban areas. I am sure that the £105,000 that I am donating to the project today on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Food will make a major contribution towards the realisation of the project's development plan. Once again the people of Tallaght are showing the way in a unique partnership between the community and the State in bringing this innovative project to fruition," the Tánaiste said.

The Fettercairn Horse Project is supported by the South Dublin County Council and FAS as well as the private sector. Its steering committee includes representatives of the community, the Council, the RDS, the International League for the Protection of Horses, the Association of Riding Clubs, Roadstone, Spillers, URBAN, FAS, Get Tallaght Working, Tallaght Partnership, Youthreach, Community Training Workshop and a veterinary surgeon.

In thanking all concerned for their work to date in developing the project, the Tánaiste said, "I look forward to the day when one of the participants on the project has joined one of the giants of the horse training industry of which we are so proud in Ireland."