Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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461. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls to his Department's animal welfare helpline in 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42559/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My predecessor, Minister Coveney, established the animal welfare helpline and associated email service in 2012. This helpline facilitates the reporting by members of the public of any suspicion of poor animal welfare or animal cruelty taking place – whether within the realm of a farming situation, a sporting or recreational activity, or indeed in a public place or an urban setting. I think increased public awareness of animal welfare, in conjunction with this confidential means of reporting issues, has proven to be very effective in the expedition of rapid responses to reports of alleged animal welfare issues throughout the country. The helpline streamlines and consolidates the good work in the area of animal welfare already carried out by Department Staff and associated agencies of the state as well as animal welfare organisations and the public as a whole.

For a direct comparison on the figures for 2017 to date, it may be helpful to note that my Department received 512 calls for the period Jan to September inclusive in 2016.

The line is Lo-call  0761 064408 with a dedicated email address of AnimalWelfare@agriculture.gov.ie. 

The number of calls to the Animal Welfare Helpline for 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017 are as follows: