Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of calls received by his Department’s confidential animal welfare helpline since 2020; the numbers of calls which prompted investigations; the results of those investigations; the number of staff which are working in the animal welfare unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65633/25]

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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145. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of coordination between his Department, the Gardaí, and local authorities in handling animal welfare investigations; his views on whether the current arrangements are effective; his views that animal welfare charities are carrying an undue share of the responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65634/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 145 together.

My Department has lead policy responsibility within Government for animal welfare and takes this responsibility most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner.

All reports of alleged animal cruelty or neglect received by my Department are investigated. My Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities, and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.

My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the areas of animal welfare, the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.

Since the introduction of the Act, approximately 1,000 staff within my Department have been designated as authorised officers under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department’s network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, providing nationwide coverage.

I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out, often in very challenging circumstances, by animal welfare organisations and their dedicated volunteers and staff across Ireland.

Animal welfare charities play a crucial role in helping animals in need, educating people, and raising public awareness about improving animal welfare.

I do not comment on individual cases, however, if members of the public are aware of any cases of suspected abuse or neglect, they can contact my Department's animal welfare helpline on:

Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379

Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie

The number of calls received by my Department’s confidential animal welfare helpline since 2020 is listed in tabular form below: