Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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106. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were seized and-or impounded for trespass and for non-compliance with chipping law and regulation by county in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53096/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) provides financial support to help local authorities with these seizures - figures with respect to the number of animals involved are outlined below. Detailed information about reasons for the seizures rest with the local authorities.

In dealing with breaches of equine identification legislation, the Department’s policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach . Authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified timeframe.

Horses Seized by Local Authority - 2015-2022