Written answers

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Greyhound Industry

Photo of Aidan FarrellyAidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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226. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 8,758 non-coursing greyhounds whelped in 2023 that were subsequently registered in the stud book of an organisation (details supplied) at microchipping stage at 12 weeks of-age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8285/25]

Photo of Aidan FarrellyAidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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229. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds registered with an organisation (details supplied) at whelping stage whose year of birth was 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8288/25]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 229 together.

The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership primarily of all greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. A response providing the requested information will issue to the Deputy within 10 working days.

Photo of Aidan FarrellyAidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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227. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 8,758 non-coursing greyhounds whelped in 2023 that were subsequently registered on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system at microchipping stage at 12 weeks of-age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8286/25]

Photo of Aidan FarrellyAidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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228. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the 8,758 non-coursing greyhounds whelped in 2023 giving a detailed breakdown into active, inactive, exported and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8287/25]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 228 together.

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.

The question raised by the Deputy is a matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Photo of Aidan FarrellyAidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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230. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current economic value of the greyhound racing industry to the economy here not including a figure for the economic value of hare coursing in the island of Ireland, or for greyhound racing and hare coursing greyhounds in Northern Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8289/25]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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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.

The Jim Power report entitled “The Economic & Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry” commissioned by RCÉ states that “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.”

The report does not provide a separate figure for the economic value of the greyhound racing industry in the Republic of Ireland only or a breakdown excluding hare coursing.

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