Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
283. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what economic measures, other than the Jim Power report (2021), he employed when deciding on the level of funding to be given to the Irish greyhound racing industry from the Exchequer in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30416/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The 2021 Power Report found that the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry supported over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the sector is estimated at over 10,000.
The Department provides dedicated financial support under the Horse and Greyhound Fund to RCÉ. The annual allocation to RCE is considered as part of the Department's annual budgetary process.
As part of this process the RCÉ pre-budget submission for 2023, which highlighted the need for continued exchequer funding to maintain operations and meet statutory obligations and increased welfare costs, was a consideration with regard to funding levels.
