Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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1969. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the collection of the foal levy to reflect the invoice price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14717/21]

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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1970. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the foal levy to a more equitable system which distributes the burden fairly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14718/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1969 and 1970 together.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

The Foal Levy scheme, which was introduced in 2000 on a statutory basis, applies to all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland. It is calculated with reference to the governing legislation SI 735 of 2011.

HRI's Foal Levy Committee reviews the rates, bands and structures of the levy on an annual basis and has also considered potential alternative methodologies to calculate the levy. They have concluded that the current banded/tiered approach represents the most equitable and appropriate way of securing the funds needed for the breeding sector.  I understand that the majority of foals registered fall into the two lower bands of €35 and €50, and that there is a very high compliance rate of circa 98.3%.

The levy generates vital funding for the Irish Equine Centre, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and there are currently no plans to alter the current arrangements for the levy.