Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1715. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered reviewing and updating the Control of Horses Act 1996 and related enforcement systems to address concerns around equine welfare, public safety and legal oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19841/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. The Act is currently under review within my Department.

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.

My Department takes the matter of equine welfare most seriously. 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 Patrick 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