Over 100 in Donegal to benefit as Irish Greyhound Board welcomes funding increase in Budget 2019

The Irish Greyhound Board has welcomed the additional €800,000 allocated to the greyhound industry in Budget 2019.
Greyhound racing makes a substantial contribution to the economy in Donegal, with 92 owners and 14 trainers currently active, according to a report by economist Jim Power, published last year.
The IGB has been allocated €16.8 million in total for 2019, which will help continue the implementation of its Strategic Plan 2018-2022.
The extra funding will be targeted at a range of initiatives including increased investment in stadia, wider marketing and actions to further enhance greyhound welfare.
CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, Gerard Dollard, commented: “I am delighted with the allocation of an additional €800,000 to Bord na gCon for 2019. The IGB’s Strategic Plan 2018-22, launched earlier this year, targeted excellence in industry standards in the areas of welfare and regulation. Welfare of greyhounds continues to be the IGB’s number one priority. This additional allocation will allow us to maintain the very positive welfare initiatives that are already in place, as well as implement further progressive measures to allay any public concerns that may exist on welfare within the industry.”
He continued: “The strategic plan also targeted continuing to improve customer experience at each individual track as a priority, which this allocation will help with. A comprehensive, strategic review into the needs of our sixteen licensed stadia, just announced, will continue to progress the industry’s footprint for the future.”
12,000 people across Ireland continue to gain economic benefit from the greyhound racing industry and it is estimated to contribute as much as €300 million annually to the nationwide economy.