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.

The horse and greyhound racing industries, via Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and RCÉ, receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. The Programme for Government commits that the Government will continue to support the Horse and Greyhound Fund, considering the vital economic and social contribution generated by these sectors in rural areas.

In Budget 2027, €102m has been allocated to the Fund of which €81.6m will be allocated to HRI and €20.4m to RCÉ. The allocation is subject to Oireachtas approval and is split 80/20 between HRI and RCÉ respectively in line with the relevant legislation.

The proposed increase in the Fund will be linked to the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Indecon Review, in respect of equine and greyhound welfare and integrity. This will form part of my Department’s overall animal welfare package and is in line with the Programme for Government commitments on equine and greyhound welfare and with the strategic plans of both RCÉ and HRI.