Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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687. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that the salary for the new Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Ireland was set at a higher rate than that previously stipulated; if the decision originated within his Department or Horse Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3227/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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.

The Irish Horse Racing Industry Act 1994 and The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (Remuneration and Superannuation) provide that the terms and conditions of the CEO of HRI are subject to the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and myself.

The final contract of employment provides for a single salary point of €190k. The salary was proposed by HRI and was consented by myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform following due consideration. NewERA were also consulted.

I support the terms of employment of the new CEO of Horse Racing Ireland and view the remuneration as proportionate, in light of HRI’s contribution to the economy and the responsibilities and challenges of the role. The terms are in line with those of the previous CEO.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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688. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of pension entitlements that will be accrued, by year, by the new Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Ireland; the performance related bonuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3228/22]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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689. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the salary against which the salary of the new Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Ireland was benchmarked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3229/22]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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690. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a condition or mechanism exists within the contract for the new Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Ireland, which would see proposed salary increases in years two and three of the contract not implemented; if such a condition or mechanism exists that would see the salary reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3230/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 688 to 690, inclusive, together.

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.

The Irish Horse Racing Industry Act 1994 and The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 (Remuneration and Superannuation) provide that the terms and conditions of the CEO of HRI are subject to the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and myself.

The final contract of employment provides for a single salary point of €190k. The salary was proposed by HRI and was consented by to myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform following due consideration. NewERA were also consulted.

With regard to pension entitlements, the contract of employment for the new CEO of HRI provides for superannuation. This includes a choice of the three standard options provided for in the Template CEO Contract prepared by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The value of superannuation for the new CEO is personal information and GDPR applies.

There is no provision in the contract of employment for performance related bonuses.

With regard to benchmarking, I support the terms of employment of the new CEO of Horse Racing Ireland and view the remuneration as proportionate, in light of HRI’s contribution to the economy and the responsibilities and challenges of the role. The terms are in line with those of the previous CEO.