Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
191. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 25 June 2015, regarding a request for an analysis of the numbers of persons employed in the greyhound industry, if he will provide this detail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27350/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in Parliamentary Question Nos 399 of 26th May, 458 of 9th June and 121 of 25th June, 2015 an analysis of the numbers employed in the greyhound industry as of 1st January 2015 is not readily available. The figures currently available from Bord na gCon are based on a report entitled ‘The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry’ published in April 2011. The report states: the industry employs just over 10,300 people directly and indirectly; employment in the greyhound industry is spread very widely across the country. This regional dispersion is reflected in the geographic spread of the 17 racetracks around the country and the ownership of greyhounds in every county; the employment is provided in catering at greyhound race tracks, staff employed at tracks owned by the Irish Greyhound Board, staff employed at the privately owned tracks, staff employed in cleaning and security services at all stadia, food and drink suppliers to catering operators, private and public trainers, greyhound food manufacturers and suppliers, ancillary services such as veterinary and medicine, dog owners, betting offices and a number of miscellaneous areas.
