Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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464. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a feasibility study of the development works proposed for Kilkenny greyhound stadium was carried out and submitted to his Department prior to the granting of one million euros of taxpayer’s money to the private owners of this stadium in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67781/25]

Martin 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.

In July 2021, RCÉ sought approval from my Department for the payment by RCÉ of a grant towards development works at Kilkenny Greyhound Stadium from the proceeds of the sale of Harold's Cross Stadium in 2018.

On 2nd May 2025, RCÉ forwarded a submission and supporting documentation to my Department for consent to the making of a €1m grant to Kilkenny Greyhound Racing Company Ltd. (KGRC) for the proposed re-development.

The submission addressed the requirements of the Government Infrastructure Guidelines Final Business Case (FBC) and met the required standard. A thorough analysis of the submission was carried out and my Department is satisfied that the FBC submitted along with the review completed by RCÉ as the Sponsoring Agency met the requirements to allow the proposal to proceed.

Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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465. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Rásaíocht Con Éireann carried out an investigation into complaints of animal cruelty at a licensed kennel in the west of Ireland (details supplied), if an investigation has been carried out; if his Department has received the results, if so, the outcome of this investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67782/25]