Written answers

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Greyhound Industry

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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547. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds which were euthanised at greyhound tracks here after sustaining racing injures; if the statistics for injuries to greyhounds during racing can be published by the Irish Greyhound Board on a track by track basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28556/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The issues to which the Deputy refers are an operational matter for Bord na gCon. 

Bord na gCon has provided me with figures in relation to the number of greyhounds which were euthanised at greyhound tracks after sustaining racing injuries and these are contained in the table below.  The table also contains figures for the number of greyhounds that sustained injuries at race tracks.

Bord na gCon has assured me that all tracks are monitored on a continuous basis by its officials in order to ensure the safety and welfare of racing greyhounds.

Number of greyhounds injured/ euthanised at greyhound race tracks 

-InjuredEuthanisedNo. of greyhounds raced% of greyhounds injured% of greyhounds euthanised
July - Dec 201426669511830.520.13
Jan - Dec 2015421122951270.440.13
Jan - Aug 201630097646050.460.15

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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549. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the surplus moneys allocated to the greyhound industry in 2015 which was spent on greyhound welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28558/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958, under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

State funding to the horse and greyhound racing industries is provided through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. 80% and 20% of the moneys paid into the Fund each year are distributed between Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon respectively.

The issue raised by the Deputy regarding the monies spent on greyhound welfare is an operational matter for Bord na gCon. 

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