Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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621. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for a horse project has been made by Cork City Council; and if not, if private individuals can make these applications. [62569/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is fully committed to supporting sustainable, One Health, One Welfare initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and Working Together for Animal Welfare, Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 and continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide. These projects can foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds.

My Department considers proposals that broadly fit within the above framework and proposals have been received from both Local Authorities and independent groups.

Typically, supports for the projects are provided by the Local Authorities and funding provided by my Department is paid directly through the Local Authorities to support these projects.

Through Cork City Council, my Department has supported the Cork City Horse Project which is a collaborative initiative involving Cork City and County Councils and community stakeholders including the Traveller Visibility Group. In 2016, my Department supported three equine education modules undertaken by the Project with funding of almost €20,000 though our Urban Horse Projects scheme.

My officials continue to work with and support Local Authorities and NGOs in progressing urban horse projects and my Department is open to supporting further One Health, One Welfare projects country wide.