Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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613. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE endorses hare coursing, which has been banned in many jurisdictions (details supplied); and his views on whether public moneys should be withdrawn for this project [4259/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Neither the Minister for Health, nor the HSE, endorses Hare coursing.

I understand that the Deputy's question relates to a recent media query received by the HSE in relation to a mental health facility in the west of Ireland, and that the HSE has refuted the claims made. While the centre in question does not, and has never run hare coursing activity for its service users the Executive cannot understandably comment on activities of staff or service users during their own personal time. The Executive indicates also that the support of service clients, in the context of promoting positive mental health and recovery generally, does not constitute an endorsement of approval of this activity. No service users, as part of any recovery process, were brought to or encouraged by the HSE to attend any such events. The Executive indicate that hare coursing has never been funded by the HSE locally, nor would it be appropriate from the point of view of a social care provider.