Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2017
237. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the very small proportion of State funds allocated to the greyhound industry every year spent on greyhound welfare and rehoming; the steps he will take to ensure that the Irish Greyhound Board increases this proportion in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2272/17]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
Bord na gCon recognises that the welfare of the greyhounds is paramount and it adopts the best identified practices to ensure that the highest welfare standards are achieved. During 2016 circa €1.8m was spent by Bord na gCon in support of Regulatory and Welfare efforts. Bord na gCon will continue to enhance all aspects of greyhound welfare and ensure that the highest standards of performance and consistency are delivered when formulating strategy and appropriate policies.
As reported on the Bord na gCon website www.igb.ie, Bord na gCon, through its Welfare Officers, conducted in excess of 500 kennel inspections during 2016 and imposed 23 sanctions.
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, (which is jointly funded by Bord na gCon and contributions from owners), is primarily focused on the preparation of greyhounds for rehoming including transportation, to the various European and U.S. Rehoming Agencies along with providing assistance to Private Greyhound Rehoming Agencies
During 2015 and 2016 the Trust was successful in securing homes for 1,675 retired greyhounds, (694 were rehomed through agencies assisted by the Irish Greyhound Welfare Trust).
Where any breaches of welfare standards are identified under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Bord na gCon takes stringent actions and prosecutions ensue in accordance with the Act.
