Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1079. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department will take to ensure that the welfare of animals is maintained and protected during spells of extreme weather as recently experienced (details supplied); if additional funding and resources for State agencies charged with animal welfare to combat neglect and abuse during future spells of cold or other extreme weather will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15817/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 the primary duty for ensuring the welfare of an animal including horses lies with the person having possession or control of the animal.  A person who fails to comply with this commits an offence.

In order to assist the work of animal welfare charities, my Department funds a scheme of ex-gratia payments . In December 2017,  111 animal welfare organisations received funding  of €2.56m which represents  the largest amount allocated to date. This record allocation together with the fund raising efforts of the animal welfare charities will greatly assist their work in course of 2018 including the excellent work conducted by the charities during the course of the recent adverse weather events.

I should add that my Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty and neglect for investigation:

Call Save 0761 064408

01 6072379

Email address -animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.All calls received are followed up as appropriate.