Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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566. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding that has been offered and drawn down by Galway City Council and Galway County Council under the animal welfare provisions to support the development of new facilities to provide shelter for the urban horse population and to encourage young persons in the care and welfare of horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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On 13 November 2014, Local Authorities countrywide were informed of details outlining a €1 million fund being made available by my Department to develop facilities for urban / traveller horse projects. Expressions of interest were sought from those authorities who wished to initiate projects and Galway City Council was among those that initially responded. On 24 September, 2015 my Department again wrote to those local authorities from whom DAFM received an initial interest but  had not progressed to development. It is my understanding that at present Galway City Council are in the process of examining a feasibility study in association with the Galway Traveller Movement. Separately, I understand that Galway County Council are considering priority areas for a project within the county. Discussions between my Department and both Galway Local Authorities remain ongoing.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine remain committed to developing a number of urban horse projects as they provide many benefits to communities including reductions in the amount of stray animals. The education program available to horse owners also enables greater compliance with animal welfare regulations. My Department's support focuses on the capital set up costs of the project and it is expected that all horse projects should endeavour to be self-financing over time.