Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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514. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the contribution of the Irish greyhound industry to GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21577/23]

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

According to the 2021 Power Report, commissioned by RCÉ, the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry supported 4,150 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are 6,211 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the greyhound sector is estimated at 10,361.