Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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161. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider amending the Control of Horses Act 1996 and appoint an equine officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13682/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Control of Horses Act, 1996 was introduced to provide for the control of horses and to make provision for the licensing of horses in urban and other areas where horses cause a danger or nuisance to people or property.

My Department provides funding to local authorities as a contribution towards the costs incurred by them in the operation of the Control of Horses Act, 1996. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for the relevant local authority.

The Act is currently under review within my Department and plans for replacement legislation are advancing.

My Department takes the matters of equine welfare and traceability most seriously. There have been a number of significant advances in the traceability system for horses in recent years. For example, my Department has established the chip checker portal and are developing a system of e-passports. In addition, Professor Paddy Wall has produced a root and branch review of the current arrangements for horse traceability.

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare.

My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.

In December 2024, my Department announced funding of six million euros to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide, through the animal welfare grant programme. These awards also support the provision of education and knowledge sharing to the public on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, helping to raise animal welfare standards. Of that figure, just over €3.4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.

More generally, my Department recently published a report by Professor Paddy Wall on equine traceability and welfare, and has prepared an action plan to implement its recommendations.

My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline and e-mail address through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.

The dedicated e-mail address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:

Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.

Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie

I am satisfied that these measures provide a comprehensive framework and sufficient safeguards to ensure the welfare of animals and I have no plans to set up any other authority.