Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

458. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the number of puppy farms that have been shut down by agents and agencies of his Department for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29443/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

459. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the work ongoing to address claims in relation to puppy farms in operation in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29444/26]

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

On 1 August 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 transferred to my Department. Under the Act, local authorities are responsible for operational and enforcement matters and have a range of powers available, including the issuing of a closure notice where appropriate. My Department does not hold information on the number of closures of dog breeding establishments. This information can be requested from local authorities directly.

A high-level Dog Control Stakeholder Group was established in 2024 to consider policy and legislative matters, specifically the Dog Control Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. The group’s remit includes considering the need for legislative change. I am committed to reviewing all legislation relating to dogs and in this regard will be guided by the recommendations of the group. I expect the group to revert to me with recommendations on the matter imminently.

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

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

460. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding work ongoing to improve animal welfare in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29445/26]

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

My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare, which is protected by legislation. I am committed to ensuring that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. All reports of alleged animal neglect or cruelty received by my Department are investigated and appropriate action is taken.

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.

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. Their responsibilities include carrying out welfare inspections in every county and providing advice and support to the keepers of animals, however primary responsibility for protecting the welfare of animals rests with the owner or keeper.

I support sustainable initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and our current Animal Welfare Strategy, including nationwide urban horse projects. Working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders, these projects have proven very successful, aimed at equine welfare and marginalised communities, fostering community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people.

My Department has spent over €2.1 million from 2015 to date, on urban horse projects, with €170,000 allocated for 2026. There are currently seven live projects and I would welcome new submissions from local authorities to develop urban horse projects in their respective areas.

In December 2025, I awarded funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities nationwide, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme.

In 2025, a process was initiated to develop a new animal welfare strategy, which will act as a framework for engagement and collaboration to direct future activities with the aim of benefiting both animals and Irish society. Development of the strategy is now well underway following broad stakeholder engagement including a non-statutory public consultation that ran to January 2nd. In excess of 1,750 individual submissions were received as part of that process.

Also in 2025, my Department published Professor Patrick Wall’s report on equine traceability and welfare and prepared an action plan to implement its recommendations, which is progressing.

My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline, where the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation, the contact details are:

Helpline Phone No: 01 6072379.

Email address: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

461. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is sufficient funding available to support animal welfare charities across the country on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29446/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the merits of putting in place multiannual funding for animal welfare charities to allow for longer term plans and projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29447/26]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 461 and 462 together.

Animal welfare is a key priority for my Department and considerable funding is provided to support eligible animal welfare charities nationwide, through the annual Animal Welfare Grant Programme, which is administered by my Department.

I recently launched the 2026 animal welfare grant programme process and animal welfare charities that meet eligibility criteria are invited to submit applications for funding before 28th April. The current Programme for Government provides a commitment to increase funding. In December 2025, I provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country. This figure represents the highest allocation of funding awarded under the Animal Welfare Grants.

A decision on the level of funding provided for welfare organisations will be made later in the year. I have no plans at present to introduce multi annual funding allocations.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

463. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there are sufficient checks in place to ensure animal welfare standards are adhered to in the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29448/26]

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

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

There is a strong commitment to improved animal welfare in the Greyhound Racing sector in the Programme for Government. Government support is directly contingent on RCÉ annually guaranteeing that welfare standards are strictly upheld.

The ongoing welfare and integrity initiatives operated by the industry are pivotal. The work of RCÉ underscores this commitment, with RCE informing my Department that it conducted 2,636 inspections in the past year alone. This is the highest annual number of inspections on record. Inspections are both random and targeted.

In 2025, arising from 208 investigations, Welfare Officers issued 11 Fixed Payment Notices and served 10 Welfare Notices. The industry maintains a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches, demonstrating its commitment to the highest standards.

RCÉ also operate a confidential phone line to enable reports of welfare breaches to be reported for investigation by relevant agencies. In 2025, 18 calls were received relating to greyhound welfare matters which resulted in 6 investigations by Welfare Officers.

RCÉ provides a quarterly update on Care and Welfare to my Department.