Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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1109. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the rebate paid to local authorities for horse welfare and impounding instances given the current cost far outweighs the rebate paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29551/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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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.

Section 15 of the Act provides that I, as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. may make grants towards the expenses of a local authority incurred under the Act. In this regard in 2024, my Department provided funding of €55,476 to local authorities throughout the country towards the costs incurred in the operation of the Act. The maximum contribution paid is €375 in respect of horses that are seized and subsequently euthanised. The contribution in respect of horses that are subsequently rehomed is €200, for other equines the fee is reduced to €125. There are no plans at present to increase these amounts. Local authorities should make every effort to recover all costs associated with horse seizures wherever possible and ensure they are receiving value for money through the procurement process.

The number of horses that have been seized nationally has significantly declined from 4,923 horses in 2014 to 383 horses in 2024. To date, in 2025, 52 horses have been seized nationally. The reducing number of seizures by local authorities is reflective of a number of factors including initiatives being progressed by my Department in the animal welfare area.