Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the programme for Government commitment which prioritises equine welfare and commits to a robust traceability system; the status of the existing inspectorate supports across the country; the engagement that his Department has had with local authorities in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61297/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Both me and my Department are committed to the objective under the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare through improved traceability.

The foundation of our equine traceability system is the central database which records the registration details of all equines issued with a passport. The information recorded forms an integral part of ensuring that only those equines that are eligible for inclusion in the food chain are slaughtered for that purpose.

We are enhancing the information on our central equine database through the equine census. The first census was carried out this time last year when nearly 12,500 equine owners submitted a return.  These have been converted into holding profiles creating a link for the first time between each equine kept in the State on census day and the premises where it is kept.

Since last Thursday 1st December, all keepers have been able to access the "Equine Census 2022" portal onagfood.iewhich allows them to submit a census.  My Department put a lot of effort into updating the census portal to make submission of online returns easier. 

The primary objective of the census is to capture the habitual residence of every equine.  This linking a horse to its habitual residence will allow DAFM to manage animal and public health concerns as well as lost or straying horses with greater ease, by providing more current details of the responsible keeper.  In addition, the Department intends to approve an equine e-passport shortly. 

E-passports have huge potential in terms of real time monitoring of movements and ownership.

Beyond equine traceability, my Department dedicates considerable resources not only to enforcement of animal welfare law but to prevention and education in relation to the welfare of equines. My Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including equines underpinned by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.

The Act puts clear obligations on owners to look after animals under their care.  My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area, as do An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the ISPCA and DSPCA. 

My Department also takes a preventive approach to equine welfare challenges by developing facilities for urban horse populations and by supporting initiatives educating young people in the care and welfare of horses. This work is carried out in close collaboration with the Local Authorities across the country.  For example, my Department supports the DSPCA's equine castration and ID clinics and education programmes, and animal welfare organisations are helped provide summer projects for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who care for horses. 

I am also committed to providing additional funding in support of animal welfare in the coming years. Last December, I awarded record funding of over €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare organisations countrywide, many of which are engaged in equine welfare activities.