Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1183. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional animal welfare measures that have been enacted since he assumed office with regard to horse and greyhound racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52422/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

Since 1st January 2018, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The IHRB is a company limited by guarantee set up by the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee for the purpose of carrying out the regulatory and licensing functions for Irish horseracing .

Rásaíocht Con Éireann 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. Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Since my appointment as Minister on 2nd September 2020 the following additional animal welfare measures have been enacted by Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) and Horse Racing Ireland (HRI).

Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCÉTS) for racing greyhounds came into operation on 11th January 2021. RCÉTS will allow the location of a racing greyhound to be monitored by RCÉ throughout its life stages up to the point of retirement/rehoming, including birth, registration, racing career, all changes of ownership and location, and end of life.

RCÉ has concluded a tender process for the operation of foster care centres. The expansion of its foster care activity in recent years has necessitated an open procurement process to create a panel of service providers. The panel now put in place provides for foster care centres being available to RCÉ in Limerick, Carlow, Tipperary (2 no.) and Offaly.

A programme for the provision of dog utility ambulances to tracks is in process with ambulances provided at Shelbourne, Tralee Limerick, Youghal, Waterford and Galway greyhound tracks.

I approved RCÉ’s revised Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of Greyhounds on the 13th September 2021.

Earlier this year, I granted "Authorised Officer" status to IHRB officials. This gives them additional powers to support horse welfare.

The impending redevelopment of Irish Equine Centre (IEC) is a future keystone of horse care in Ireland. €1.7 million was allocated in budget 2022 for this project.

I understand that HRI and RCÉ have both informed you directly of a number other initiatives recently undertaken with regard to horse and greyhound welfare.