Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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880. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to review the sentencing regime underpinning the Animal Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6478/23]

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.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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.

Since the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 came into operation in March 2014, 121 individuals have been successfully prosecuted. Fines in excess of €109,350 have been imposed. Thirteen persons have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment which were suspended in 11 cases. One person was given 240 hours of community service in lieu of 6 months imprisonment. The Probation Act was applied in 11 instances.

Twenty-five persons have been disqualified from keeping animals under section 58 of the Act.

In 41 cases summonses have issued or files have been sent with a view to initiating prosecution and a further one is currently being examined in my Department with a view to pursuing a prosecution if the evidence so warrants.

The penalties provided for under the Animal Health & Welfare Act - ranging from, on summary conviction, a Class A fine (up to €5,000) and in some instances a Class A fine and/or up to sixmonths imprisonment, and on indictment a fine up to € 250,000 and/or imprisonment up to five years, are considered to be proportionate and progressive.

My Department continues to keep this matter under review.