Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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532. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the closure of Harold's Cross greyhound stadium; the discussions he has had with the Irish Greyhound Board in this regard to ensure its continued opening and safeguard dependent jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8222/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon has statutory responsibility for the development of the greyhound racing industry. In that context, it runs commercial operations in a number or greyhound stadia, including Harold's Cross.

In 2014, against the background of reducing income for the organisation through the recession, and a significant debt burden, my Department commissioned an independent report into certain matters relating to Bord na gCon, including its financial performance and prospects. That report provided a road map for the sustainable development of the greyhound sector, and in that context recommended a number of asset disposals, including Harold's Cross, in order to reduce the debt burden.

I understand that Bord na gCon, having considered the matter, and having regard to the recommendations in the Indecon Report, has decided to cease racing at Harold's Cross Stadium and initiate the sale of the stadium in order to reduce its debt levels and increase its capacity to provide support and assistance to the industry.

While this is very regrettable, its view is that there is no other option if the burden of debt on the organisation is to be reduced in any meaningful way. I understand that its intention is to transfer the Harold's Cross racing schedule to Shelbourne Park, a few kilometres away, and that all 12 staff at Harold's Cross will be offered redeployment.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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533. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the recommendations of the report on the Irish greyhound industry by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine will be implemented; the reason for the delay in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8223/17]

Michael 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 has assured me that it continues to implement the recommendations made in the report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the greyhound industry in January 2016. Indeed many of these recommendations were also made by Indecon with considerable progress made on those recommendations and more recently on the recommendations in the Morris report.

With regard to the report of the Joint Committee in particular and in line with its recommendations, Bord na gCon has informed me that the following developments have been carried out:

1. three meetings of the National greyhound consultative forum held to date with the next meeting due in March this year

2. Bord na gCon has secured three separate media contracts that generate €0.5m per annum thereby increasing Tote turnover.

3. Bord na gCon, on its website, offers regular updates in respect of re-homing, welfare and regulatory matters.

4. Prizemoney and racing supports have been increased by €1.4m in 2016

5. Bord na gCon is currently investing in upgrading its laboratory testing infrastructure.

Additional recommendations will be addressed in new greyhound legislation which I will shortly be bringing to Government.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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534. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Irish Greyhound Board will publish its 2015 annual reports; the reason the board has not produced those reports to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8224/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The 2015 audited accounts for Bord na gCon have been submitted to my Department and are currently before Government for noting. When noted by Government the accounts will be laid before the houses of the Oireachtas and can then be published.