Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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307. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he continues to monitor all aspects of animal welfare including canine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12727/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 is the main legal instrument available to my Department to enforce animal welfare standards. The Act puts clear obligations on owners regarding the need to look after animals under their care.

My Department employs a large team of veterinary inspectors to enforce the provisions of the Act. Inspections, both announced and unannounced, are undertaken on a regular basis to ensure that the requirements of the Act are strictly adhered to. These inspections are scheduled on both a random and targeted basis. My Department also operates an anonymous helpline through which members of the public can express animal welfare concerns. These reports are promptly examined by trained veterinary staff countrywide and corrective action is taken in those cases where the Act has been breached. The Act also provides for severe penalties in the event of successful prosecutions.

The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) was established by my Department in February 2002 on a non-statutory basis. It has been instrumental in promoting animal welfare in a practical way and providing a forum for different interest groups to meet, exchange views and reach consensus on the various challenges relating to animal welfare on farms.

While my Department remains the central reporting point for animal welfare concerns, it also works collaboratively on a range of issues with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Under Section 37(2) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, the manager of a local authority may appoint authorised officers to exercise functions conferred on them for the purposes of enforcing the Act.

One area of such co-operation is the governance of canine welfare. A joint inspection regime of dog breeding establishments, involving the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Local Authority Veterinary Service, took place in 2015 for the purpose of inspection and follow up action. While a very high percentage of inspections found the conditions of the animals to comply fully with the Act, corrective action was taken where necessary following the discovery of individual cases of non-compliance (mainly infrastructural in nature).

My Department also liaises on a daily basis with Local Authorities in relation to the enforcement of the Control of Horses Act 1996. The development of urban / traveller horse projects is one outcome of this co-operation. These projects seek to reduce the amount of stray horses and educate young people in the care of animals. I am glad to report a major improvement in horse welfare outcomes in recent years.

The Deputy may be assured that this level of monitoring, enforcement and education will remain in place in the future, both by my Department and the State agencies.