Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides funding to HRI on an annual basis.
The table below outlines the amounts allocated to HRI to assist the horse racing industry in the years 2019 to 2021:
Year
|
Total Allocation €m
|
Current €m
|
Capital €m
|
2019
|
67.2
|
56.1
|
11.1
|
2020
|
67.2
|
54.1
|
13.1
|
2021
|
76.8
|
61.4
|
15.4
|
The allocation from the Horse and Greyhound Fund is subject to certain conditions including compliance with the Code of Governance, submission of financial returns and capital requirements.
Of the current allocation of the fund not more than 80% must be applied to prizemoney and a minimum of 20% applied to integrity.
HRI also generates commercial income from tote and wagering activities, sale of media rights, gate admissions and food and beverage operations.
Having regard to the parameters applying to the allocation from the Horse and Greyhound Fund, HRI's income in its entirety is used to fund all of its activities, encompassing the salaries of all staff, including the four roles identified.