Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 241 and 242 together.

The Thoroughbred Foal Levy (The Levy) was introduced in March 2000.  It is a statutory levy on all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland in the General Stud Book through Weatherbys Ireland. The scheme is administered by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and provides a secure financial footing for the breeding industry and essential support structures.  

The Levy rate payable relates to the nomination fee of the foal’s sire and varies between €35 and €650 (Table 1 attached). According to HRI, the compliance rate for 2021 for registered foals was in excess of 99%. In 2020, 48% of foals were charged €100 or less, 34% of foals between €150 to €300 and 18% of foals between €350 and €650.

Table 1 Thoroughbred Foal Levy Bands

The HRI Levy Committee makes recommendations to the Board of HRI, following consultation with breeders, in relation to re-investment of the Levy funds. The final decision on grant amounts and beneficiaries rests with the HRI Board. The Levy Committee comprises representatives of HRI, The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

The three principal beneficiaries from the foal levy are the Irish Equine Centre (IEC), Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) and ITBA. IEC provides specialised facilities for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of equine diseases and for research and education.

The services provided underpin the health status of the thoroughbred and, thereby, protect Ireland's disease-free status. ITM (a not for profit trading subsidiary of HRI) promotes Ireland as the premier country in which to breed, buy and race thoroughbreds. The ITBA is the representative body of breeders in Ireland. The association's aims are to promote and protect the interests of breeders of thoroughbred bloodstock.

The details of the amount raised from The Levy for each from 2007 to date in 2022 are contained in the attached Table 2.

Table 2 Thoroughbred Foal Levy Collection 2007-2022

As part of the oversight of HRI by my Department, liaison meetings between officials of my Department, and executives of HRI are held biannually.  The operation of The Levy is a standing item at all such meetings. In addition, The Levy financial information is included in HRI's annual financial statements which are audited by the Controller and Auditor General (C&AG).

I currently have no plans to change the current methodology of the operation of The Levy.