Review of sports allocation sought as funding for horse and greyhound racing described as outrageous

""Small volunteer run clubs are receiving next to nothing. Where is the fairness?""

""For the past 24 years the horse and greyhound industry fund is guaranteed the same amount they received in 2001, increased by whatever the rate of inflation was.""

""I do not have concerns about the horse racing part. There is an average of nine race meets in Sligo every year. We excel in this sport across the world. Can I absolutely remove myself from this motion. People go to the races for the festival experience. The knock-on""

Councillors in Sligo amended a motion initially calling for a phased reduction of state funding for horse and greyhound racing and ring-fencing savings for community sports. The amended motion omits the phased reduction and instead seeks a national review of how sports funding is distributed. Concerns were raised that small volunteer-run clubs receive very little and that public money should serve the public good rather than support private industry. Budget 2025 allocations cited were €76m to Horse Racing Ireland and €19m to Greyhound Racing Ireland. Critics noted the industry fund has been inflation-linked since 2001, prize money is tax free, and average greyhound meeting attendance is about 220.

Read at Irish Independent