Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1563. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans for Teagasc to mainstream animal welfare considerations across its teaching and advisory services for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42209/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked Teagasc, Ireland’s Agricultural Training and Advisory body, to mainstream animal welfare considerations across its teaching and advisory services for farmers and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Teagasc continues to provide well developed courses and training opportunities for the farming community with a strong emphasis on animal husbandry. In line with the initiative outlined in Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, Teagasc courses will continue to evolve, ensuring that clear consistent animal welfare considerations are promoted across all its teaching and advisory services for farmers.

Teagasc is actively committed to developing and improving animal welfare across the agricultural sector. Animal welfare is an ongoing focal point within educational courses on livestock production and husbandry within the education and teaching programmes, and also within advisory programmes, activities and consultations with farmers. Teagasc also has targeted specific actions around animal welfare in their current Statement of Strategy which align with our National Animal Welfare Strategy, including the commitment to mainstreaming welfare considerations across all relevant research, knowledge transfer and training programmes.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1564. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans to establish a Chair in Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics in University College Dublin; the projected costs associated with this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42210/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The first Chair of Animal Welfare & Veterinary Ethics at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine was appointed in January 2021, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and contributing to scientific leadership at a national level.

The Department is committed to providing annual funding of €120k towards the post for a six year period. The role will have a focus on farm animals and will further strengthen the work already being carried out in UCD in this area.

The creation of this post aligns with the goals of the Strategy and the School of Veterinary Medicine's 'One Health, One Welfare' Strategic Plan. The remit of the post is to conduct studies in animal welfare, sustainable agriculture and veterinary ethics to inform policy that will have a positive impact on society.

This appointment enhances academic expertise and scientific leadership, while furthering primary and continuing education for veterinary professionals, promoting research and contributing to policy developments, and supporting UCD's key role in the newly established EU Reference Centre for Ruminant and Equine Welfare.

The establishment of the Chair is a key component of the recently published national Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 and marks one way in which the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and DAFM will work collaboratively to achieve the goals set out in the new strategy.

Societal knowledge, perceptions and expectations regarding the welfare of animals and ethical consideration regarding the keeping and use of animals is rapidly evolving. The UCD School of Veterinary Medicine and my Department recognise this, both in the context of veterinary education and research, and in the context of sectoral and societal discourse on animal welfare and ethics in Ireland.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1565. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his plans to establish an independently chaired Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare; if a call for positions on the Advisory Council has been issued; the expected membership numbers and the remuneration that will be provided to each member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42211/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 includes a commitment to establish an Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare (ACCAW). Following the appointment of a Chair, I have identified a number of organisations and individuals with a diverse range of skillsets to advise me on matters relating to companion animals. This week, I will be writing to these organisations to put forward candidates for membership.

The Chair of the ACCAW will be compensated at the appropriate Civil Service per diem rate for chairing a public committee. No other Council members will receive compensation for their attendance and input. The Council will be made up of a Chair and approximately 12 members, subject to review.