Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 167: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a national programme of neutering and spaying of cats will be introduced in view of the fact that this will have a direct effect on reducing the wild population of cats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33932/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department's legislative responsibility in the area of animal welfare extends to farmed animals only, including animals normally bred or kept for the production of food. Accordingly, matters relating to feral cats do not come within the scope of my Department. Nevertheless, my Department provides in excess of €1million annually to animal welfare organisations involved in the provision of animal care. In awarding the funding, we remind organisations involved in the rehoming of cats of the absolute necessity to ensure that all such animals are neutered before rehoming as this will assist in controlling numbers.

With regard to cat welfare, the position is that my Department is drafting an Animal Health and Welfare Bill which aims to update existing legislation in the area of health and welfare to ensure that the welfare of all animals, including non-farm animals, is properly protected. Drafting of the Bill is ongoing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to publish the Bill at an early date.