Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that have been taken to enforce laws regarding animal welfare; the number of prosecutions relating to the abuse of animals to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25941/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government places a strong 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. 

The 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. 

Neglect of, or causing unnecessary suffering to, animals is not acceptable and our courts regularly adjudicate on the issue of unnecessary suffering in cases brought before them. 

To date in 2022, nine individuals have been successfully prosecuted under the Act at the suit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Pursuing prosecution is only one of several routes for dealing with animal welfare issues. Authorised officers have the power to intervene before welfare situations become even more serious instead of waiting for problems to occur.

They often offer guidance, advice and direction during inspections. The Act also includes additional enforcement procedures such as Animal Health and Welfare Notices. These notices may be issued both as an instruction on the steps which must be taken to alleviate any animal welfare issues and to deal with potential disease risks and situations in which animal welfare is compromised and provide the opportunity to rectify welfare concerns before they deteriorate further and can avoid the need to resort to prosecution.

In addition to continued and vigorous enforcement of the law, the 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.