Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, my Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals.

Since the introduction of the Act, over 1,000 Department officials have been designated as authorised officers under the Act and their responsibilities include the enforcement of animal welfare legislation provided for under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department's network of regional veterinary offices throughout the country including the Limerick Regional Veterinary Office.

An Garda Síochána are also authorised officers under the Act, as are specified officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rasaíoct Con Eireann, the Irish Horse Racing Board and customs officials.

Local Authorities also have the powers to appoint authorised officers under the Act.

A feature of the enforcement of the Act is that my Department can appoint authorised officers from welfare organisations with which the Department has service level agreements, to work alongside officials of my Department, An Garda Síochána and the Local Authority on certain enforcement matters, resulting in a very effective and efficient use of resources. It is at the discretion of these welfare organisations to deploy these officers to where they decide they can have the maximum impact.

My Department also provides considerable financial and administrative support to assist welfare organisations in carrying out their work in protecting animal welfare. In December 2023, I announced record funding of €6 million to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide, through the animal welfare grants programme. This is the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department, including €177,400 to welfare organisations based in County Limerick. This is in addition to €106,025 in funding, provided by my Department, under our Urban Horse Projects initiative, to the Moyross Equine Education and Therapy Programme, in 2023, aimed at educating young people from Limerick City on equine welfare and the associated positive health benefits for both people and horses.