Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will answer Deputy Michael Collins's questions first. He made the point about the value of the investment in terms of what it does in rural areas and in terms of the importance of welfare. He also made the significant point about the importance of the money being spread across all levels of both the greyhound and horse racing sectors. I agree with the Deputy that it is important that all levels are supported.

The figures from last year would indicate that in 2019, there were 370 horse racing meetings in racecourses of various sizes, and prize money is allocated to the bigger and smaller race meetings alike. It is crucial that all levels of the sector are supported. While we are a world leader in horse racing and in the thoroughbred sector, that can only happen if the sector is strong at all levels and if funding is spread across it. That requires all levels to be supported. It is important that HRI uses this funding in that way and ensures it is spread out. That is an important point that was well made by the Deputy. That needs to be kept in mind at all times in how plans are made and in how funding is spent.

On greyhounds, there would have been thousands of races at 16 different tracks in 2019. Funding would have been distributed across all classes of dogs.

When somebody is breeding and in the sector, his or her objective is to have his or her horses either sold for breeding purposes or to supply others, or ultimately to see them racing and running, either at their local track or as high up in the chain as they can possibly go. It is important that prize money is there for all levels of races so that there is that support and strong ecosystem in place.

Senator Boylan also emphasised the importance of the welfare spending. I will give the Senator a breakdown of the spending around that. Some €1.32 million is provided for 2021 for regulation, integrity and traceability, while €407,000 is provided for the national greyhound laboratory. A total of €991,000 is provided for care and welfare programmes and €306,000 is provided for veterinary care. As the Senator has said, the 10% threshold is being exceeded. There has been significant progress in the past year or two in particular in developing those programmes and it is important that this continues. I know Rásaíocht Con Éireann is committed to that and as a Minister, I want to see that continue and be developed. The Senator pointed out that the greyhound care centre opened in Tipperary. I do not have an answer to the other questions the Senator raised on that. We can prepare a note on that and I can come back to the Senator on those points.