Horse Sport Ireland

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Questions (1072)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

1072. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the range of figures from €5.5 to €12 million which have been issued on various occasions by Horse Sport Ireland regarding the cost of providing the necessary facilities outside Greenogue, County Dublin or for the build and lease back model (details supplied); if he sought an analysis of the alternative figures given that such figures have been put forward by Horse Sport Ireland as justification for the Greenogue site option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9908/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am aware that Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is considering re-locating to a new site as part of the establishment of a new headquarters and a national centre of excellence.

HSI is a company limited by guarantee. It is not a State Body established by legislation and it is operationally independent of my Department. The location of a site for its headquarters is a matter for its Board. It would be inappropriate for me to express a view on the merits of any specific location in a way that might prejudice its deliberations.

HSI did make a budget submission to my Department last year for capital funding but the figure concerned was indicative and was not specific to any particular site or venue and involved the development of a green field site.