Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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895. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that can be taken to prevent continued mistreatment of animals in circumstances in which such repeated instances have been detected; if increased prevention measures can be adopted in such areas under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9239/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

This Act provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. The Act was passed, after a lengthy and constructive debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas and came into operation on 6th March 2014.

In line with the Programme for Government, I am committed to the continued application of the Act which is considered fit for purpose in protecting animals from cruelty.

My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, and authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

In terms of repeated instances of animal welfare offences, authorised officers have the powers to issue Animal Health and Welfare Notices with conditions of compliances, which are followed up with repeat inspections, and where appropriate, animals may be seized and criminal proceedings may be taken. Prosecutions can result in fines, imprisonment and court orders limiting the numbers of animals people can keep or indeed preventing offenders from keeping animals. Compliance with these court orders is checked regularly by Department officials. My Department is currently assessing the penalties available under the Act in accordance with the commitment in the current Programme for Government.

My Department also takes a preventive approach to alleviate welfare concerns for both animals and their owners. In addition to continued and vigorous enforcement of the law, in line with the 'One Health, One Welfare' ethos, my Department is committed to a policy of education and awareness-building in order to prevent animal welfare issues arising. Significant animal welfare related measures have been advanced recently within the scope of our national Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, Working Together for Animal Welfare. The Strategy is backed by resources and expertise within the Department and involves dialogue and cooperation with other Government Departments and agencies, with stakeholders and with civil society. I have requested that Teagasc mainstream the 'One Health, OneWelfare' approach in to all their relevant research projects, education and training programmes.

In December 2021, I announced the allocation of over €3.7 million in grants to 98 animal welfare charities throughout the country. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, this marks the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department. In line with the ambitions of the Strategy, this funding placed emphasis on the ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach to education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare delivered by the organisations.