Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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905. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific welfare standards being set as a condition for future funding for the greyhound sector from the Horse and Greyhound Fund as outlined in the programme for Government; if time limits will be set for the standards to be reached; and if an independent body will assess the welfare standards. [24161/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon (BnG) is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

My Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and in dealing with breaches of legislation. The Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013 applies to all animals, including greyhounds. The Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011 further protects their welfare and empowers officers of BnG to inspect premises where greyhounds are kept. A confidential phone line and email has been set up for the public to report any alleged welfare breaches.

The Greyhound Racing Act, 2019 strengthens the current sanctioning regime and addresses doping and integrity. This Act also makes provision for a traceability system, which is being prioritised by BnG, and will enable the tracing of racing greyhounds.

Welfare is a key priority of BnG's strategic plan for the period 2018-2022. BnG has reported significant progress in implementing an extensive Care & Welfare Programme in the last 12 months, for example; the opening of BnG's first Care Centre in early July 2020, the introduction of an Injury Support Scheme to provide financial support where a greyhound is injured at a racing event, the introduction of financial incentives for domestic re-homings of racing greyhounds and a partnership with Greyhound Pets of America which led to a number of US re-homings in 2019.

BnG introduced a Care Fund with effect from September 2019 whereby 10% of all admissions, 10% of restaurant packages, 5% of tote profits and 50% of all sponsorships are directly attributed to the Care Fund.

My Department has met with the Board of BnG numerous times since June 2019 and has received assurances that the Board remains committed to the protection of the integrity of the greyhound industry and to promoting the welfare of greyhounds and that significant resources are being committed to these ends.

My Department and BnG sign an annual Shareholders Letter of Expectation (SLE) and officials in my Department monitor the achievement of the goals and targets set out in the SLE. My Department instructed BnG to apply a minimum of 10% of their allocation of the 2020 Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund to welfare and integrity expenditure.

Regular bilateral meetings are held at a senior level to discuss matters relating to governance, including policies, performance and funding of BnG in addition to matters related to animal welfare.

I have no plans to appoint an independent body to assess welfare standards.