Michael Moynihan
Question:36 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline his proposals for grant aiding the development of the greyhound industry.
Written Answers. - Proposals for Greyhound Industry.
Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 Bord na gCon were generally given overall responsibility for the improvement and development of the Irish greyhound industry. The board were given authority to make regulations regarding the charging of levies on course bets to fund their activities in relation to this function.
Following a close examination of a comprehensive consultants' report on its operations which the board had commissioned in 1989, they prepared a five year development plan for the industry covering the years 1990-94. To assist the planned development the Government provided a grant-in-aid of £500,000 to Bord na gCon in 1990 and are providing a further £750,000 this year. At least another £1 million will be provided over the period of the following two years.
Grant-aid is also now available to the greyhound breeder as part of the operational programme for rural development which was approved by the EC Commission in December 1990. The scheme for greyhounds provides 50 per cent aid in less favoured areas and 40 per cent elsewhere towards the cost of housing and handling facilities at farm level, subject to an investment ceiling of £5,000.