Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which his Department continues to monitor all aspects of animal welfare including canine and non-sporting equines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47292/17]

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. Under the Act, authorised officer status has been given to a small number of employees of the ISPCA, DSPCA and the Turf Club to carry out duties limited to welfare.

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 Rural and Community Development. 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. In order to reduce the numbers of straying horses, my Department has provided funding to a number of local authorities to support the development of urban/traveller horse projects in their respective areas. A number of projects are currently being progressed by local authorities in conjunction with animal welfare organisations.  These projects provide many benefits to communities including educational elements which enable greater compliance with animal welfare regulations thereby reducing numbers of straying horses.  My Department continues to stress that it is the responsibility of individuals to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. I am glad to report a major improvement in horse welfare outcomes in recent years.

The Dublin Region Horse Welfare Group has recently been instigated by South Dublin County Council to directly address equine issues within the greater Dublin area. I welcome this initiative and my Department will work closely with our partners in Local Authorities, Welfare Groups and An Garda Siochána to achieve its aims.

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 various agencies of the State.