Written answers

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Animal Welfare

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is paying a retainer to Cork City Council for animal pounds and horse welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4719/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The matter of pound services fall within the remit of the local authorities and my Department does not pay a retainer to local authorities in relation to that function.

The Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to local authorities enabling them to control stray and wandering horses in their areas. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for each local authority.

Section 15 of the Act provides that the Minister for Agriculture may make grants towards the expenses of a local authority incurred under the Act. In 2020, my Department provided funding of €2,375 to Cork City Council.

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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336. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of the sentencing regime of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 has commenced as per the commitment in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4720/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides for (a) summary offences tried before the district court to a maximum of a €5,000 fine or six months imprisonment (b) offences that may be tried on indictment before the circuit court may be fined up to €250,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to five years.

In addition, the courts may prohibit a person from keeping animals for a period which may include his/her lifetime.

My Department is assessing the penalties available under the Act in accordance with the commitment in the current Programme for Government.

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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337. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide further information on his plans to develop an urban horse welfare programme to work with local authorities as committed to in the Programme for Government; his plans to legislate for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4721/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide, supporting with infrastructure and bringing education on all aspects of equine welfare to disadvantaged areas, and I intend to deliver additional supports in urban areas.

My officials work with and support local authorities and NGOs in progressing urban projects, and there are currently projects at every stage from the initial feasibility and planning stages to the operating stage around the country. I have asked my officials to prioritise urban horse welfare in the context of the new national Animal Welfare Strategy which I will launch shortly.

Photo of Neasa HouriganNeasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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338. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if animals in laboratories are protected under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. [4749/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The general principles enshrined in Section 11 and 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 apply to all animals.

The protection of animals used for scientific purposes, including those in laboratories, are subject to specific rules set down in S.I. No. 543/2012 European Union (Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes) Regulation 2012 which falls within the remit of the Minister for Health.

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