Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and his Department accept and endorse the findings of the 2021 Power report, commissioned by Rásaíocht Con Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24628/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

In July 2021, Jim Power Economics produced a report on The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry which was commissioned by RCÉ. This report follows earlier similar reports produced by Jim Power for RCÉ in 2010 and 2017.

According to the 2021 Power Report, 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 over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the sector is estimated at over 10,000.

The authors of the report are independent of RCE and are bound by there own professional standards. I see no reason to question the validity of the report.