Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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36. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that mink caged at fur farms have adequate access to water for both cooling down and drinking during seasonal weather with above average temperatures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31057/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010(Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Irish fur farmers are subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer. There are currently a total of three operators in Ireland licensed to keep mink.

As with all livestock areas within the Agri-sector the prolonged hot dry spell has presented challenges that are being alleviated by good stockmanship and planning.

My Department continue to remind all those responsible for animals that they must ensure an adequate supply of water is provided.

There has been an unannounced inspection carried out during this warm weather on one of the Irish farms and no welfare issues were raised. My Department will continue to carry out inspections both planned and unplanned on the facilities in question.

Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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37. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if information from the local authorities and an organisation (details supplied) on reports they receive and act on annually related to the welfare of greyhounds is collated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31059/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon liaises with Local Authorities, with welfare organisations, and with my Department on welfare matters relating to greyhounds. All matters reported are investigated by officers of Bord na gCon under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. These arrangements are working well.

I should add that two officers of Bord na gCon have recently been authorised under the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2013 in order to complement their work in the welfare sphere. The welfare of greyhounds continues to be treated very seriously by both my Department and Bord na gCon.