Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

140. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on current funding for horse control measures to avoid the terrible suffering of animals revealed in the ongoing round-up of distressed equines by the local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28078/15]

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

The Control of Horses Act, 1996 delegates to local authorities responsibility for issues relating to stray, abandoned and/or neglected horses in both urban and rural areas. My Department provides funding to the local authorities to assist their work in applying the provisions of the Act. To date in 2015, an amount of almost €484,000 has been paid to local authorities throughout the country to assist in control of horses activities. Figures received from local authorities for 2015 indicate a decline in the number of horses being seized under control of horses’ legislation. Nevertheless, in an effort to reduce the incidences of horse abandonment and encourage good care and welfare of horses, I have allocated €1million for horse projects to support facilities for the urban horse population and to address, through education, the promotion of care and welfare of horses. My officials are actively engaging with and advancing a number of horse projects throughout the country, in conjunction with local authorities and with traveller groups.

As a further step in protecting the welfare of neglected horses throughout the country, my Department provides funding to animal welfare charities to assist their work in horse care. In 2014, funding of €1.8m was made to 142 organisations involved in the care of animals. In addition to funding provisions, service agreements have been agreed with the DSPCA and the ISPCA under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 empowering their inspectors to intervene in situations of horse neglect and cruelty.