Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
675. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to implement the programme for Government commitment to ensure that future funding of the greyhound sector from a fund (details supplied) be contingent on a guarantee of welfare standards being upheld on an annual basis; the specific welfare criteria which the sector will be required to meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43377/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
RCÉ, as a key pillar of its Strategic Plan 2018-2022, states it will "enhance animal welfare at the centre of our industry". RCÉ established a Care Fund in July 2019 dedicated to care and welfare programmes for the racing greyhound.
Measures taken to date as part of that programme include:
The opening of the first Care Centre in Thurles in July 2020 which will act as a half-way house between the end of a racing career and the placing of the greyhound in its ‘forever home’. The centre will allow greyhounds to be socialised and for interested parties to consider the fostering or adoption of a greyhound in such a setting.
The implementation of an extensive rehoming programme with 1470 greyhounds rehomed in 2020 to end of November with assistance from the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, an entity established by RCÉ.
The introduction of a financial incentive for all domestic rehomings to encourage further rehoming in Ireland.
The implementation of a Foster-to-Adopt Scheme.
The operation of an Injuries at Track Financial Support Scheme whereby funding is available to address injuries sustained to racing greyhounds.
The establishment of a confidential phone line/email through which any welfare issues can be reported on a 24/7 basis. All reports are fully investigated by RCÉ welfare staff.
The utilisation of the Exclusion Order process whereby a party can be excluded from a greyhound racing track.
The updating of the Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of the Greyhound which has been the subject of a public consultation process. The Code is provided for under Section 6 of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.
The continuing of a testing regime both at race events and through out of competition testing. The urine sampling regime has been expanded in 2020 to cover blood sampling (on a periodic basis). Work is also underway in terms of the necessary protocols to implement further enhancements of the testing regime through hair sampling.
RCÉ implemented a Covid-19 Care Payment Scheme during the period of suspension of racing activity from March to June 2020. Some €998,000 was paid under the scheme to ensure that the welfare needs of the racing greyhound were met during the period when racing activity was suspended.
In addition, my Department has imposed a range of conditions to the disbursal of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, and as part of these conditions, RCÉ is obliged to commit 10% of the fund towards welfare and integrity measures. This includes measures in relation to regulation, testing, laboratory and other aspects of activity that will improve the welfare and integrity approach of RCÉ. Together, these measures will ensure that the three commitments on greyhound welfare in the Programme for Government will be met.
