Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017
504. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there has been such a dramatic decrease in turnover from €60 million in 2004 to €28 million in 2015 with regard to the Irish Greyhound Board. [15373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord na gCon is a commercial State agency responsible for the control, promotion and operation of greyhound racing.
I understand from Bord na gCon that it has faced very difficult financial challenges in recent years and continues to operate in a difficult financial environment. There has been a significant decline in attendances at stadia, reducing tote receipts, reductions in the number of active owners and in breeding activity. Indecon in its review advised that the financial outcomes are due significantly to the economic crisis. It also advises that the financial stresses have also been due to bearing the cost of a major capital redevelopment project that was largely funded by bank borrowings and which did not deliver expected outcomes.
