Written answers
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Horse Racing Industry
Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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411. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he was aware of recent price increases in horse passport registration fees by Horse Sport Ireland; if he has any role in setting prices for foal passports; if he can reverse the decision of the HSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20664/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following a competitive procurement process carried out in 2022, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) was awarded the contract from 2023 to deliver studbook services for the Irish Sport Horse, Irish Draught, Irish Sport Pony, Irish Cob and Irish Partbred Cob breeds.
The contract requires HSI to operate breeding programmes for these breeds in accordance with the rules of the EU Animal Breeding Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012). The contract does not provide any public funding to HSI for delivering this service. It provides the right to administer the stud books which includes the right to charge fees to clients who wish to avail of their stud book services.
Fees charged by breed societies, including HSI, for the services they provide are a matter for the individual breed societies. My Department does not have a role in setting these prices.
Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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412. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024 and Question No. 1046 of 20 March 2024; if he will publish the respective bid tenders received in the public interest from bidders in the marketing of the Irish sport horse industry contract awarded in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector (as referred to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024 and Question No. 1046 of 20 March 2024) was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.
Two organisations submitted tenders. In accordance with clause 2.16 'Freedom of Information', my officials consulted with the two tenderers regarding the confidentiality or commercial sensitivity of their submissions and the release of this information as requested. Both parties have provided redacted versions of their submissions which are attached.
Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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413. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 168 of 6 March 2024, and 1052 of 20 March 2024, if he will confirm the nature and terms of an exit agreement entered into by Horse Sport Ireland in January 2022 with a named individual (details supplied); confirm if his Department paid the costs of such an exit agreement; to provide the full costs of such exit agreement, referred to as “goodbye money”; provide the breakdown of any associated other costs to conclude the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Operational matters are determined by the Board and the CEO of the named organisation. I am informed by the named organisation that during 2021 and up to January 2022, a Human Resources matter was under active management by the then Board of the named organisation. I am further advised that the matter was brought to a resolution in January 2022 at a total cost of €455,154.
I am advised by the named organisation that the then Board approved the settlement that included payments to the former employee including a termination payment, payment in lieu of notice, outstanding annual leave, and a 12-month restrictive clause that expired in March 2023. This element collectively totalled €256,114. The settlement also included payment of employee legal costs of €55,350 and €143,690 of legal and professional fees incurred by the employing organisation.
The cost was borne by my Department within the original budgetary provision made available to the named organisation.
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