THE Irish Equine Centre [IEC] has secured 75% of the funding it needs to develop its campus at Johnstown, Co Kildare, and hopes to raise the remaining 25% from within the equine industry.

In 2020 the IEC said it was planning a €22 million upgrade of its premises which have been largely untouched since they opened in 1983.

A not-for-profit organisation, the IEC is responsible for the overall health of the Irish equine herd. It offers independent and confidential advice to horse owners on equine health matters. Its mission is to provide “independent diagnostics, education, research and allied services to the Irish horse industry and to the industry globally.”

Marking the IEC’s 40th anniversary, Stephen Collins of Shadwell described the IEC as “the insurance policy for the health of the equine industry.”

It also offers a variety of testing across agriculture, environment, nutrition and other commercial sectors.

Although the IEC is widely respected internationally and is designated a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reference laboratory for equine influenza and equine herpesvirus, its buildings and equipment are in need of investment.

This week the Department of Agriculture provisionally allocated €3.4 million for the initial phase of the redevelopment.

IEC chief executive Debbie Grey said: “The IEC is delighted to acknowledge the Department’s support for the development of the existing campus.

“With the support of the department and HRI we have 75% of the funding committed thus far and will be seeking industry support for the remaining amount.

“A new laboratory would ensure the continuation of our proven 40 years of excellence and international repute which has ensured our crisis management ability has been tested and has served the industry well.”

The IEC is part-financed by the Foal Levy, Horse Racing Ireland and the Department of Agriculture.

Also in this week’s Budget, the Minister for Agriculture confirmed that Horse Racing Ireland will receive €79.28 million in Government funding for 2025. This represents a 4% increase on last year’s figure.

Of that sum, €16 million has been provisionally allocated for capital funding.

HRI’s Strategic Plan – published last April – projected Government funding of €79.8 million for 2025 including €15 million for capital funding.