Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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67. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions taken to protect horses in Cork city this year. [11825/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department continues to have an important role in support of equine welfare, in the context of its overall responsibilities for animal welfare and in line with its strong history of supporting the welfare of animals. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 enables my Department to regulate and support animal welfare through concrete, tangible measures.

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.

My Department has addressed and resolved a number of animal welfare issues in recent years in both Cork City and County, working closely with An Garda Síochána and authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and local authority officials. This joined up approach continues this year to tackle equine welfare in Cork.

In relation to the control of horses in Cork City, the Control of Horses Act 1996 provides powers to local authorities, enabling them to control stray and wandering horses in their areas. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for each Local Authority, and they have powers under the act to appoint authorised officers within their area.

Efforts to reduce the number of stray horses are paying off. Provision figures show that 374 horses were seized nationally in 2022, down significantly from a peak of 4,923 in 2014.

Figures provided by Cork City Council for the same period show a reduction in horse seizures from 176 in 2014 to 16 in 2022.