Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the horse project for Cork city. [26914/22]

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. 

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 Department continues to participate in the group's meetings, where in recent years, efforts have been focused on finding suitable space to locate a Horse Project within the Cork City boundaries.

My Department would very much welcome a submission from the Project, through Cork City Council, for assistance under our Urban Horse Projects scheme once a suitable location has been established in the City.