Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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241. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the €99.1million in taxpayers' money announced in the Budget that the horse and greyhound fund will now receive would be better spent on public housing, public health and public education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40754/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.

An important pillar of Government policy is to ensure that the horse and greyhound racing industries achieve their maximum potential, and in so doing, contribute to economic and social development over a wide geographic distribution. The future of both industries is dependent on a strong governance platform and on the respective industries having the highest standards of integrity and welfare founded on a strong regulatory system, and continued Government support is contingent on both HRI and RCE meeting these requirements.

According to the Deloitte report of May 2023, it is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €2.46 billion with direct and indirect employment of over 30,000 people. The thoroughbred industry, in particular, brings a high level of international investment into Ireland.

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 particular importance of the funding of this industry to rural Ireland is well recognised.