Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to put on record that I have a small interest in a racing greyhound.

For many, this is a sport of working-class people. It is a sport that has gone on for generations. The vast majority of people in both these industries have contributed hugely, locally and socially, and look after their animals, be that in horse racing or greyhound racing. I have spoken to many of them. In the county I live in, they are on every corner. They feel the equity of distribution of this fund needs to be looked at, particularly regarding the volume of funding that goes to small operators. It is a real issue now. There is one issue I ask the Minister to consider, if he would get off the phone for a moment. I ask that he look at the equity of distribution of the fund as regards how it gets into the hands of smaller operators as opposed to big operators who, as previous speakers have said, do not need it proportionately.

Animal welfare is a serious issue in both codes and we must have a zero-tolerance approach to any abuse of animals in sport, on farms or in homes. It is unacceptable in this day and age. On the subject of the motion, the fund provides support to two indigenous industries that provide significant employment throughout rural Ireland and give much enjoyment to people. A GRI report showed that it supports 4,150 full-time and part-time jobs in 2019. Last year, a total of €96 million was allocated under the fund and of that €76.8 million went to HRI and €19.2 million to GRI. Budget 2020 allocated €88 million, which is €8 million less. A ratio is used to allocate the funding with 80%, or €70.4 million, goes to horse racing and 20%, or €17.6 million, goes to greyhound racing. Of this allocation, a minimum of 10% is to be spent on welfare; no more than 60% must be applied to prize money; no more than 3% on operational grants to private tracks; and no more than 27% on regulatory and administration costs and other statutory functions of GRI. It is critical that the 10% ring-fenced in 2021 for welfare initiatives is maintained, and I ask that this amount be increased in the future. Will the Minister confirm he is confident that this funding is spent in the proper way?

Last year, I also raised the need for a greyhound trust to be set up. The volume of greyhounds that need to be rehoused remains high. There is only one centre and I have raised this issue on multiple occasions at the Committee of Public Accounts and in the Chamber. The allocation needs to be 15% to 20% and work needs to be done on that very quickly. People must be able to see progress so that they can see this issue is being dealt with appropriately and be in a position to support the industry as a result. Last year, the Department also allocated record funding of €3.2 million to more than 100 animal welfare charities separate to these funds. I ask that the Minister provides clarity on what the allocation will be next year.

Many proposals have been put to the Minister and the GRI by people who work with greyhounds and I hope their voices will be listened to. It also needs to be ensured, from an industry point of view, that many of the racecourses do not end up being liquidated because of the way in which the current funding is set up. It is perilously dangerous that this will be the case.

In my remaining time, I wish to raise two other issues. In horse racing, in particular, too many people are badly paid. The Labour Party believes, given the legislation my colleague, Deputy Nash, has brought in and which was used again in recent days in Ireland, a sectoral employment order is needed for people working in the industry. This is something that we will push for. Across this major industry, those who love horses and love the sector should be respected as should their expertise, and they should be paid appropriately and consistently. I urge the Minister to do that.

It will not be strange for the Minister to hear me raise the issue of gambling addiction again. As a country, we need to look at a ban on gambling advertising. The proliferation of gambling advertising must be dealt with quickly. My party colleague, Senator Mark Wall, has put forward legislation on how to deal with it. The number of advertisements that are visible all over the place when watching sport on television is obscene and disgusting. I sit down regularly with my daughter, who is 11 years of age, and all she sees is gambling ads morning, noon and night. It is wrong and it needs to be dealt with quickly.

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