HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has launched a new industry-wide survey aimed at tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the equine workforce. The initiative builds on The Business of Horsepower report, unveiled in June by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, which laid bare the staffing and skills issues within the sector.

Commissioned by HSI and prepared independently by IFAC Accountants with funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services, the report identified clear skills gaps as well as opportunities for targeted training and education.