Tipperary TD Michael Lowry is welcoming the allocation of funds for the Horse and Greyhound industry. Under existing legislation revenue from a tax on all betting is ring fenced to be allocated to the Horse and Greyhound industry each year. Budget 2024 allocated €95 million to the Horse and Greyhound Fund for the coming year. Horse Racing Ireland is to receive €76 million of this, while the remaining €19 million is allocated to Greyhound Racing Ireland.
Deputy Lowry describes the funding as an investment that supports both industries. The Thurles based TD says the greyhound industry is faced with falling attendance at the tracks resulting in a significant drop in revenue but this can be addressed by aggressive marketing and promotion. The TD says government support is needed for the next 5 years to implement development projects planned by Greyhound Racing Ireland.
The horse breeding and racing sector is thriving and ‘is estimated to generate an average of €1.8 Billion in gross expenditure annually. Deputy Lowry says the direct and indirect employment provided justifies the investment of over €70M annually.
Some opposition TDs opposed the allocation including the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane.
The allocation was opposed for a range of reasons such as alternative uses for the funding, animal welfare reasons and a rejection by Holly Cairns that the greyhound industry was important to the survival of rural communities. The leader of the Social Democrats asks if the industry is so vital why can it not survive on a commercial basis. The funding allocation was welcomed by Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath while Tipperary TD Alan Kelly wants the Public Accounts Committee to review the funding which has been allocated annually since 2001 totalling €1.735 billion including the 2024 allocation.
Deputy Kelly also proposes tighter regulation and administration in the industry, with a key focus on animal welfare and Government appointees to the Board of Greyhound Racing Ireland to monitor animal welfare.
