Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Rásaíocht Con Éireann is a commercial State body. Its role is chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. The allocation from the horse and greyhound fund for Rásaíocht Con Éireann is €18.2 million this year. Since 2020, my Department has ring-fenced 10% of the fund allocation to Rásaíocht Con Éireann for welfare, including integrity. The Board of Rásaíocht Con Éireann has indicated that its priorities include the continued expansion of the care and welfare initiatives, which include a range of measures.

Rásaíocht Con Éireannalso undertakes activity in the areas of regulatory, integrity and laboratory functions. This includes activity on welfare inspections and investigations, testing regimes, veterinary services and financial support for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust and contributions to private rehoming agencies. A new traceability system for racing greyhounds has been launched, known as the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system. It came into effect in January 2021. Data from the system at the end of March 2023 indicates 38,858 greyhounds were subject to traceability.

Rásaíocht Con Éireannhas introduced a range of care and welfare initiatives, which include the establishment of a separate greyhound care fund and other measures. Last year, it allocated €3.6 million in total to traceability, care and welfare matters. That compares with €3.3 million in 2021, an increase of more than 10%.

Rásaíocht Con Éireann is also required to provide a quarterly update on care and welfare to my Department. Welfare and integrity remain a standing item at all liaison meetings.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | 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.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is a key priority of the Government. It is also a key priority for Rásaíocht Con Éireann, and the management and board. The long-term viability and future for the industry has to be built on good welfare. It is what the public and dog owners expect. It is what all dogs deserve. It is also what Government funding is contingent on. We continue to work closely together. The commitment from the Government is to continue funding the sector, but that welfare be given a priority as part of that. We have also taken a couple of other steps in the past two or three years. A confidential telephone line was established in 2019 to enable reports of any welfare breaches, for investigation by relevant agencies. There has also been an intensified inspection regime of greyhound establishments over the past two or three years. In 2021, some 1,221 inspections were carried out. Last year, 2,674 inspections were carried out. There is also significant emphasis and priority attached to the rehoming of retired greyhounds.