Greyhound Industry
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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Martin Heydon (FG), Kildare South

I thank the Deputy. As regards the economic and employment impact and benefit of the greyhound racing industry, this is outlined in the economic and financial significance of the Irish greyhound racing industry report.
I concur on the importance of care and welfare. A strong commitment to improve animal welfare in the greyhound racing industry is set out in the programme for Government, which requires Rásaíocht Con Éireann to continue to provide financial support for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, IRGT, and to contribute to rehoming greyhounds. Since 2020, my Department has ringfenced 10% of the fund allocation to RCE for welfare, including integrity. A key priority of the board of RCE is the continued expansion of the welfare and care initiatives, which include a range of measures. In its approved budget for 2026, RCE allocated €5.6 million to regulatory care and welfare expenditure. The RCE allocation to traceability, care and welfare matters for quarter 1 of 2026, was €1.1 million.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09