Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1177. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Exchequer funding allocated to Horse Racing Ireland covers the salaries of persons (details supplied); and if not if their salaries are met by non-Exchequer funding. [30716/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the Department provides funding to HRI on an annual basis.

The Department has allocated €76.8 million to HRI to assist the horse racing and wider thoroughbred industry in 2021. 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 three roles identified.