Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
632. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an exhaustive list of those who have been appointed as ‘authorised officers’ under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. [56681/25]
View answerUnder the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, my Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals. Since the introduction of the Act, approximately 1,000 staff within my Department have been designated as authorised officers. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department’s network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, providing nationwide coverage. In addition, authorised officers have also been appointed in the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rásaíocht Con Éireann and the Irish Horse Racing Board.
Members of An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service are directly authorised under the Act. Local authorities are also empowered to appoint authorised officers under the Act. Any queries regarding the number of authorised officers by these bodies should be referred to the relevant organisation directly.
A feature of the enforcement of the Act is my Department can work alongside An Garda Síochána and the Local Authority on certain enforcement matters, resulting in a very effective and efficient use of resources.
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.
