Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding available for urban horse projects to help enhance awareness of animal health and welfare for participants and the wider nearby community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and appropriate enforcement action is undertaken by my Department and authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, authorised officers appointed by 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), where breaches or shortcomings are identified. Any reports of welfare issues received by my Department, including breaches of the animal welfare legislation, are acted upon and investigated.

I am fully committed to supporting sustainable initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and Working Together for Animal Welfare, Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025. As part of this commitment, I continue to support urban horse projects nationwide, working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders. These projects have proven very successful and are aimed specifically at equine welfare and marginalised communities. The projects can foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people.

From 2015 to date, over €2 million has been spent on urban horse projects by my Department, with €150,000 allocated for these projects in 2025. The Urban Horse projects greatly benefit the welfare of equines and of young people from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds. There are currently seven live projects.

Last year, my Department awarded six million euros in funding, which went to 101 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. 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 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