Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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479. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the growing and ongoing problem of cruelty to horses and donkeys (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53861/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The cases of cruelty to animals referred to by the Deputy highlight the need for intervention before animal welfare is threatened. My Department devotes considerable resources in protecting animal welfare and is continuing to work closely with An Garda Síochána, Local Authorities and with the ISPCA throughout the country in an effort to minimise the risks to horse welfare. This pro-active inter-agency approach in relation to horses has resulted in the seizure in recent weeks of large numbers of abandoned and undocumented horses, including in Wicklow and Cork.

To date this year, my Department has paid in the region of €2.8m to Local Authorities under the Control of Horses Act to assist them in dealing with stray and unwanted horses. My Department also provides considerable financial support to animal welfare organisations to assist them in the delivery of animal care and welfare services. In 2012, this funding amounted to €1.36m to some 140 organisations to assist in their work in 2013 and I plan to make an allocation in respect of 2014 shortly.

I should stress that it is the responsibility of horse owners to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. In this context, horse owners are reminded of the advice of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council that, where an owner can no longer adequately provide for their horse or where the horse can no longer fulfil the purpose for which it was bred, he or she should be proactive in seeking to dispose of the animal humanely. My Department is, of course, continuing to deal with any animal welfare issues relating to horses through its existing mechanisms and I have previously indicated that emergency funding is available to assist horse owners who cannot afford to pay for their humane disposal.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with local authorities, the Garda Síochána and with animal welfare bodies to ensure that horse welfare is protected. I urge the public to continue to avail of the Animal Welfare Helpline in operation by my Department, to report instances where animal welfare may be compromised on 1850 211 990.