Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department supports the animal welfare sector directly with a scheme of ex gratiapayments.  In December 2017, 111 animal welfare organisations received funding of €2.56 million which represents the largest annual amount allocated to date. This record allocation together with the fund raising efforts of the animal welfare charities will greatly assist their work in the course of 2018. While some recipients are focused on only one species others do not restrict their welfare mission. Therefore, it is not possible to set out a species by species break down of this support.

My Department provides funding for the development of education and training programmes for horse owners, including new structures to provide shelter for the urban horse population with the aim of reducing the number of straying animals and encouraging young people in the care and welfare of horses. Funding of over €172,000 was allocated last year and this funding continues to be available into 2018. More recently my Department has awarded a tender to operate an education program with a focus on welfare for sulky drivers and trotter horse owners. This will take place in a number of locations around the country.

My Department also underpins animal welfare by ensuring and operating a robust legislative base for animal welfare. I refer in particular to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The penalties under the Act are as high as can be permitted under our legal system. Upon summary conviction a person is liable to a fine of up to €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both, or for conviction on indictment a fine not exceeding €250,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years, or to both.

Enforcement has been enhanced by a provision in the Act that allows some investigative powers to be granted to persons outside my Department, including the Irish Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals, ISPCA, and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, DSPCA. This arrangement is working well and has led to a significant number of successful prosecutions.

Other measures undertaken by my Department to support animal welfare include the continued operations of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, a multi-stakeholder group that meets on a regional basis and includes representatives of farmers, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, veterinarians and welfare groups. This has been very successful in its regional forum in acting as an early warning system. Where natural and weather events have led to problems in certain locations my Department has acted quickly and effectively to bring emergency supplies to particular premises where feed has been an issue.

I should add that my Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty and neglect for investigation: call save 0761 064408 or 01 6072379. All calls received are followed up as appropriate.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Traceability and identification are important aspects of animal ownership that underpin the welfare of animals. Good progress has been made in recent years in dog microchipping. Adherence to the equine identification rules is evidenced by the significant number of passports that continue to be issued by the passport issuing organisations.

See this speech in context