Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
685. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the methodology used regarding the composition of a business case that was presented to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the salary and remuneration package for the new Chief Executive Officer at Horse Racing Ireland. [3060/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse 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.
The Irish Horse Racing Industry Act 1994 and The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (Remuneration and Superannuation) provides that the terms and conditions of the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) are subject to the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and myself.
The contract of the previous CEO of HRI ended on 24th September 2021. Following a competitive process which was managed by Mazars on behalf of HRI a preferred candidate was identified.
The business case referred to detailed the rationale for the terms proposed, which were in line with those of the previous CEO.
The business case included the following:
- Details of the roles and responsibilities of the CEO post,
- The remit, functions, budget and staffing complement of the organisation,
- Any relevant comparator market rates within sector or elsewhere (i.e. comparator CEOs or other positions within the same sector or in the wider public sector),
- Any external advice or input on the appropriateness of the terms and conditions
- Internal referencing with second tier management (i.e. “headroom”), and
- Evidence of recruitment challenges experienced based on the approved rate for the post.
