Increased deaths should place a question mark over State funding of Greyhound Industry - O’Gorman

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has said that there needs to be greater traceability and accountability in the Greyhound industry in Ireland. The call comes in light of figures released to Deputy O’Gorman through a parliamentary question that shows that two-thirds of racing greyhounds born in Ireland in 2021 and 2022 who have left the circuit are dead, with just under 6,000 fatalities recorded by industry body Greyhound Racing Ireland .

Speaking this morning Deputy O’Gorman said:

“The increase in the number of deaths of dogs in the greyhound sector needs to be examined. Why and how did these animals meet their deaths? If such a large number of dogs who race die before their fifth birthdays, can we truly say that greyhound racing is ethical? The State should not be funding this industry, and instead funding should be given to transitioning these dogs to loving homes where they can live out their lives.”

Deputy O’Gorman also reiterated the Green Party’s position calling for the decoupling funding for greyhound racing from horse racing in Ireland, while asking parties both in Government and opposition to support this call:

“Unfortunately, funding for greyhound racing is tied to horse racing funding, and within the Dáil there is nowhere near a majority to make changes to the status quo. My former colleague Deputy Neasa Hourigan had proposed a Bill to decouple the horse and greyhound racing funding, but when we have the 3 largest parties; Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin, unmoving on this issue, it’s hard to see any progress on this issue in the short or even medium term.” 

Parliamentary Question in full:

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the number of non-coursing greyhounds currently on a wait list for a vacancy in an Irish greyhound care home, foster place or rescue place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35489/26] 

Answer from Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon
 

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. 

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.