Written answers

Thursday, 5 December 2019

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Equine Industry

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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306. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking and the funding being provided to address the proliferation of horses being bred here especially in respect of urban horses many of which are treated cruelly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50867/19]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department dedicates a substantial level of funding to animal welfare. In December, 2018, I announced the largest ever allocation of funding from my Department of €2.75m to 108 animal welfare organisations, a number of which undertake work with equines.

With regard to urban horse issue, my Department continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide bringing education on all aspects of equine welfare to disadvantaged areas. In the context of breeding, the DSPCA with financial assistance from my Department, continues to facilitate castration clinics in an effort to address the over-breeding issue.

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 and, if the Deputy wishes to pass on details of any cases of cruelty that she is aware of, they will be fully investigated by my Department.

The dedicated e-mail address and help-line are in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare. Helpline phone No: Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379, dedicated email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie

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