Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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2169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of people prosecuted for failing to register equines in each of the years 2023 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41391/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Prompt registration of equines is very important for reasons related to animal health and the management of infectious diseases. Furthermore, equines that are registered late are automatically deemed ineligible for human consumption. This status can have a negative impact on an equine's welfare at the end of its life as it can mean a higher probability of neglect or abandonment.

For all of these reasons, my Department is committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of equine registration. The preferred approach is to bring people into compliance quickly and collaboratively. Education and engagement are deployed as first steps rather than prosecution which is reserved for repeat offenders and more serious cases. In keeping with this policy, my Department has not taken any prosecution cases to-date for failure to register equines.

In recognition of the need to improve equine traceability as foundational to protecting equine welfare, Professor Patrick Wall was commissioned to carry out a root and branch review of our equine ID system. His report recommended several reforms to strengthen equine identification, traceability and welfare and I published an action plan to give effect to his proposals. My Department is working collaboratively with all equine stakeholders to action its recommendations and protect our equine population. I am positive that these changes will lead to a better system of traceability and improved welfare outcomes for all horses in Ireland.

Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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2170. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of people prosecuted for horse neglect under the Control of Horses Act, 1996, and under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, in each of the years 2023 to 2024, and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41392/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department takes the matter of equine welfare most seriously. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and 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.

The number of people prosecuted for horse neglect under the Control of Horses Act 1996 and under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, in each of the years 2023 to 2024 and to date in 2025, is listed in tabular form below: