Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

An important pillar of Government policy is to ensure that the horse and greyhound racing industries achieve their maximum potential and, in so doing, contribute to economic and social development over a wide geographic distribution. The horse and greyhound racing industries make valuable contributions to a balanced regional economy. It is estimated that the thoroughbred sector has an annual economic impact of €1.84 billion, with direct and indirect employment of 29,000 people, while the greyhound sector economically benefits an estimated 10,000 people. The thoroughbred sector, in particular, brings a high level of international investment into Ireland.

Government funding, in addition to supporting these key industries, presents an excellent opportunity to yield a high return on its investment, leading to a flow of income right through the economy. Support for certain strategic industries is important for future economic growth and to spread economic activity broadly across society and the country. The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. Payments are made from the fund to Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, and to Rásaíocht Con Éireann, RCÉ, for the greyhound sector.

In the period 2001 to date, a total of €1.54 billion has been paid from the fund to the horse and greyhound racing industries in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The cumulative upper limit on payments from the fund provided for under the relevant regulations has been reached. Exchequer support provided from the fund is crucial to the continued development of both industries. In order to give effect to the provisions of budget 2023, this cumulative upper limit must be increased by regulation. The Estimates for my Department passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas as part of budget 2023 include an allocation of €91 million for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. This will be distributed in accordance with section 12(6) of the 2001 Act, with 80%, or €72 million, going to HRI and the remaining 20%, or €18.2 million, going to Rásaíocht Con Éireann.

In order to allow my Department to provide for the moneys allocated in budget 2023, it is necessary to comply with the technical requirement under section 12(13) of the Act to increase the cumulative upper limit on the amount payable from the fund by €91 million, bringing it to €1.64 billion. This is achieved by way of the regulations submitted to this House today. The aggregate limit on the fund has been increased in this manner in 2004, as well as in the years from 2009 to 2022, inclusive.

Regarding the horse racing industry, the 2017 Deloitte report into the economic impact of the Irish breeding and racing sector, commissioned by HRI, indicated that the total direct and stimulated expenditure of the Irish breeding and racing industry supports the direct and indirect employment of 29,000 people, as I said earlier. Horse racing generates a significant return for the rural economy and a positive international profile for our country. Of course, behind all the facts and figures are the thousands of men and women who, directly and indirectly, make the Irish racing and breeding industry what it is today.

The Irish equine breeding and racing industry is extremely competitive at a global level and is a beacon of excellence. Ireland is the second largest producer of bloodstock in the world by value sold, after the USA, and we also have the third highest number of thoroughbreds foaled each year, after the USA and Australia. The importance of a strong welfare and integrity foundation is crucial and this is well recognised throughout the industry. The Department continues to work with HRI, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, IHRB, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of integrity and welfare are maintained.

In that regard, in November last year, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine published a report on horse racing in Ireland. At the joint committee’s request, an international equine anti-doping expert, Dr. Craig Suann, was commissioned to conduct an independent review of the IHRB’s equine anti-doping programme. This review concluded that the programme does “at least match international best practice in most respects and has made significant advances in recent years”. Nevertheless, further improvements are always possible. HRI has informed the Department that it spent some €5.4 million on a suite of equine welfare initiatives last year, with €5.8 million to be spent this year. These initiatives include support for animal welfare bodies to identify new careers for horses once they exit racing, infrastructural improvements at racecourses to mitigate risks to horses and support for the Irish Equine Centre.

Moving to the greyhound racing industry, according to the 2021 Power report, the sector supported up to 10,000 people who derived economic benefit from it. The funding provided to the sector helps sustain the long-standing tradition of the industry, which is part of our history and heritage. Future funding is contingent on welfare standards being upheld and this is reflected in annual parameters set out by my Departmental officials in their liaison with Rásaíocht Con Éireann. The Department, along with the sector itself, is committed to continued strengthening of welfare standards and there is a strong commitment to improved animal welfare in this sector in the programme for Government. Provisions in the Greyhound Racing Act 2019, which came into effect in May 2019, will make a real difference in this regard, with this legislation strengthening the legal basis for the industry. It also facilitates the board in focusing on its priority objective of achieving the highest standards of care and welfare of greyhounds.

Overall, this is important funding. It is to follow through on the budget provision which was voted on already and approved by the House. Today's debate follows a comprehensive engagement at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine where the funding provision was extensively examined, teased out and discussed. I have just come from the Dáil where it was again discussed for another hour and we will discuss it here for another hour. This is, therefore, unlike almost any other Vote in respect of the level of scrutiny and discussion devoted to it in the Houses of the Oireachtas. That is positive.