Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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360. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a hardship fund to assist a farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12077/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in the Department have no knowledge of the incident in question. That is a very distressing situation for the farmer. Accidents can and do happen on farms through no fault of anyone. I understand the pain being felt by the farmer, however, there is no funding mechanism available in the Department to provide compensation for such an incident.

My Department continues to operate a confidential animal welfare helpline and email through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect. All case of alleged neglect or cruelty are investigated and appropriate actions, up to and including prosecution, may be taken.

The e-mail address and Helpline number for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare breaches are as follows:

Phone 01 607 2379 or email at animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.