Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government commitment is being significantly advanced through the various initiatives and the funding that Rásaíocht Con Eireann is spending and how it is being allocated. I outlined some of the steps taken in the past two to three years. These are significant steps forward for safeguards around welfare and the supports for greyhounds. For example, 50% of all existing sponsorship is assigned to the greyhound care fund. Some 10% of all admissions and restaurant packages have also been assigned to the care fund since the end of 2019. The first greyhound care centre was established in July 2020. The rehoming of greyhounds in Ireland is now financially incentivised with additional supports through the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, which is really important. That saw 974 retired greyhounds rehomed via the trust in 2019. The corresponding rehoming figure for 2020 was 1,775. It is something we take seriously. The capacity and steps are being increased all of the time. That will continue in line with our programme for Government commitment.

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