Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss Horse and Greyhound Fund 2023 with Minister McConalogue

Speaking ahead of the meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “The horse and greyhound racing industries provide jobs, generate revenue and play an important role in Irish sport at home and abroad. Ongoing financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund is pivotal to the viability of both industries, which combined have an economic impact of nearly €2.5 billion and benefit 40,000 people through direct and indirect employment.

“Budget 2024 allocates €95 million for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, with 80 per cent going to Horse Racing Ireland (€76m) and 20 per cent to Greyhound Racing Ireland (€19m). The Committee looks forward to engaging with the Minister on how this exchequer funding will contribute to the continued survival and development of these sectors.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

This will be followed at 7:15pm by a meeting of the Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, made up of the Members of the Dáil only, to discuss the 2023 Supplementary Estimates for Public Services - Vote 30 (Agriculture, Food and the Marine) with Minister McConalogue.

Both meetings in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.