Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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573. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form a break down by county of the number of calls received to his Department's animal welfare helpline since 23 April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25604/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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574. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have received emergency fodder support directly from his Department on animal welfare grounds in each week since its commencement; the number who have received a supplementary payment, if any; the plans he has to provide additional supports when required on animal welfare grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25625/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 573 and 574 together.

Since the beginning of emergency fodder support in week commencing 23 April last, almost 960 calls have been received on the animal welfare helpline. Invoices covering the period to which the Deputy refers continue to be received and, for that reason, statistics are unavailable on the total number of farmers who have received emergency aid during that period. Many farmers have been adequately supported through the Transport Subsidy Scheme. However, as of the week ending 26 May, over 330 farmers had received direct aid. Assistance was sanctioned for purchase of emergency feeding stuffs where animal welfare problems or potential animal welfare problems were identified. No supplementary payments were made to farmers.

For the future, the Department will continue to utilise the resources available under the FAWAC’s Early Warning/Intervention System (EWS) which provides a framework for the IFA, the ISPCA and my Department’s Veterinary Inspectors to work collaboratively in identifying and addressing farm animal welfare issues before they became critical. Farmers who are unaware of the points of contact in their respective counties should contact their local IFA or ISPCA representatives. There is also a dedicated email address in operation (fawac@agriculture.gov.ie) which farmers and or family members can contact for assistance.

The number of calls on a county by county basis is set out in the Table.