Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
106. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the current status of non-coursing greyhounds whose year of birth was 2023 and that were being tracked on Rásaíocht Con Éireann's traceability system, giving a detailed breakdown into active, inactive and exported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35487/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht 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.
A strong commitment to improved animal welfare in the greyhound racing sector is set out in the Programme for Government, which requires Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) to continue to provide financial support for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) and to contribute to rehoming greyhounds.
My Department requires that at least 10% of the Horse and Greyhound Fund annual allocation be used to support welfare and integrity. In 2024, RCÉ informed my Department that it allocated 20% of its funding to Traceability, Care, and Welfare matters. This expenditure increased to 21.19% for 2025.
The update on the current status of non-coursing greyhounds who were being tracked on Rásaíocht Con Éireann's Traceability System for the years 2021 to 2024 is as follows:
2021 - RCÉ has informed my Department that, of the 11,618 greyhounds whose year of birth was 2021, 442 greyhounds currently hold an active status, while 11,176 are recorded as inactive. Of those recorded as inactive, 5,333 were exported overseas.
2022 - Of the 10,842 greyhounds whose year of birth was 2022, 2,128 greyhounds currently hold an active status, while 8,714 are recorded as inactive. Of those recorded as inactive, 4,677 were exported overseas.
2023 - Of the 8,156 greyhounds whose year of birth was 2023, 2,422 greyhounds currently hold an active status, while 5,734 are recorded as inactive. Of those recorded as inactive, 3,702 were exported overseas.
2024 - Of the 8,282 greyhounds whose year of birth was 2024, 5,098 greyhounds currently hold an active status, while 3,184 are recorded as inactive. Of those recorded as inactive, 2,330 were exported overseas.
RCÉ also informed my Department that as of 2nd May 2026, 468 greyhounds are on the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust (IRGT) Rehoming List awaiting a vacancy in one of the Rásaíocht Con Éireann operated Care or Foster Centres.
The IRGT does not differentiate between coursing and non-coursing greyhounds, as it has a statutory duty for the welfare of all greyhounds. The IRGT does not distinguish and record separate data and therefore, this figure encompasses all registered greyhounds under its programmes.
