Horse Sport Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Horse Sport Ireland

Date published 19 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details Training and skills gaps in equine sectors

Intended results 1) To Highlight the findings of the Business of Horsepower: Staffing the Equine Sector report. 2) Improve training and address skills gaps in the sector. 3) HSI applying for Skillnet funding.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Denis Duggan, Dr. Sonja Egan and Avalon Everett.

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) Yes

Current or Former Designated Public Official(s)

Mike Bray (Currently employed as a DPO) Councillor (Meath County Council)

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

Minister Lawless officially launched the Business of Horsepower: Staffing the Equine Sector report for Horse Sport Ireland at our offices. On the same day, HSI also held a meeting with the Minister to present the key findings of the report, highlight the existing skills gaps within the sector, and ways to improve training and standards. HSI's Skillnet application was also discussed. Opportunities and challenges for the sport horse sector were also raised. Gave update on horse passporting.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Amii McKeever Special Adviser (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)