Horse Sport Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 February 2021

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Ceisteanna (1054)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1054. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the proposed location for a centre of excellence representing Horse Sport Ireland; his views on the necessity for its location in a prominent horse industry location in which it can visibly develop as required (details supplied); if he will encourage the use of such prominent and established locations as the location for the onward development of the industry; if he has received a request for funding in this regard; his views and plans regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8963/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am aware that Horse Sport Ireland 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.

My Department has provided funding to HSI over a number of years with, a €5m grant provided in 2021. Such spending is based on a service level agreement and is intended for current expenditure on areas such as breeding. It does not include capital funding. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media also provides funding to HSI.

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