Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1071. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the oversight role that the audit by Horse Sport Ireland and the oversight committee played in the process of the development of a centre of excellence; the number of times they have met to consider the project since its inception and prior to signing the heads of terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/21]
View answerHorse Sport Ireland (HSI) has informed me that, in July 2019, its Board set up a specific sub-committee of the Board, namely the HSI Centre of Excellence Development Committee. The purpose of this Committee includes but is not limited to the following:
Site identification and suitability, the infrastructure requirements for the Centre of Excellence and necessary permissions required;
- to analyse the appropriate funding models for Centre of Excellence and the related return on investment, value for money and sustainability issues.
- to determine a funding model which enables the Centre of Excellence to maximise the potential of activities that it will manage.
- Publish a Request for Tender for a suitable external consultant to prepare a comprehensive feasibility study.
- To determine the central characteristics for the Centre of Excellence, such as training, knowledge transfer, equines services, events, equine multidisciplinary approaches,collaboration with other entities.
- Assess the best governance system for the Centre of Excellence to ensure optimum management and continued engagement of the key stakeholders.
- Review the training and researcher mobility to and from the Centre of Excellence which include industry-based experts.
HSI advised that from 2019 to date, the sub-committee met regularly to consider the development of the project and the different site engagements as they arose. It met to discuss and consider the Heads of Terms in advance of Board of Horse Sport Ireland signing.
HSI has also informed me that its Audit and Risk Committee, which is a sub-committee comprising of independent members, met later in 2020 in advance of the Heads of Terms being signed, and the matter of the Centre of Excellence was discussed and considered.
Finally, I have been advised by HSI that the proposal has been considered by the Board of Horse Sport Ireland, on a number of occasions, and the Board has unanimously agreed support for the development at Greenogue.
