Written Answers Nos. 390-409
390. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on measures to protect the welfare of urban horses, horses used in sulky racing or for drawing carriages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23329/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner.
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 continues 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. Typically, support and arrangements for these projects are provided by the Local Authorities. The funding provided by my Department, is paid through Local Authorities to support these projects and I would welcome new submissions from local authorities to develop urban horse projects in their respective areas.
The use of sulkies on public roads, as with the use of all vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Issues in connection with this legislation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
My Department is committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. In this regard my Department and authorised officers appointed under the Act, 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.
In December 2025, I awarded funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities nationwide, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. Of this award, just over €4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
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 email 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.
391. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the maximum number of non-coursing greyhounds contracted per day in the two care homes and seven foster centres funded by an organisation (details supplied) for each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and the first three months of 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23405/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra392. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds passed through a care centre funded by an organisation (details supplied) for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of those dogs who were homed directly from this care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23406/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra393. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds who passed through a care centre funded by an organisation (details supplied) for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, and the number of those dogs who were homed directly from this care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23407/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra394. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds who passed through the seven foster centres funded by an organisation (details supplied) for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; the number of those dogs were homed directly from these foster centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23408/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 391, 392, 393 and 394 together.
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.
The questions raised by the Deputy are operational matters for RCÉ and, therefore, the questions have been referred to that body for direct reply.
395. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the figures published in Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2025/2026 (details supplied), the total value and volume of beef, poultry and other meat products exported from Ireland in 2025; of these exports, the value and volume derived from animals reared and slaughtered in Ireland; the value and volume of meat products that were imported into Ireland and subsequently processed, altered, packaged or otherwise value-added before being exported again; the estimated proportion of Ireland’s meat export value that relates to Irish farm-produced livestock versus imported meat products processed in Ireland for export; whether his Department maintains data distinguishing between “reared in Ireland”, “slaughtered in Ireland” and “processed in Ireland” in the export statistics reported by Bord Bia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23478/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office is responsible for official trade statistics in Ireland, while Eurostat has that responsibility at EU level.
The table below gives the breakdown of the value and volume of meat exported from and imported into Ireland in 2025.
It should be noted that figures for 2025 are preliminary estimates and subject to revision.
Data is not captured on the processing, altering, packaging or value-added of meat products in official trade statistics. Data on “reared in Ireland”, “slaughtered in Ireland” and “processed in Ireland” is not captured by the official trade statistics.
The CSO's meat supply balance shows that Ireland’s self-sufficiency rate for Total Meat, which measures the extent to which the production of Irish meat can meet domestic demand, increased from 230% to 233% in 2024 while the self-sufficiency rate for Beef & Veal rose from 680% to 701% in the same period. Data for 2025 is not yet available.
|
2025 (CSO) |
|
Exports |
|
Imports |
|
|
€000 |
Tonnes |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
Beef |
3,640,773 |
457,385 |
288,081 |
40,910 |
|
Other Meat & Meat Produce |
15,836 |
4,069 |
19,337 |
4,541 |
|
Pigmeat |
868,306 |
251,002 |
329,068 |
86,557 |
|
Poultry |
347,405 |
90,848 |
727,650 |
169,069 |
|
Sheepmeat |
396,095 |
49,988 |
34,394 |
5,273 |
|
Grand Total |
5,268,415 |
853,293 |
1,398,531 |
306,350 |
Further information on agri-food sector trade can be found in chapter six of the Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2024-2025 (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/annual-review-and-outlook-for-agriculture-food-and-the-marine-2024/) my Department's annual economic publication.
396. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1455 of March 18 2026, the marketing plans submitted and approved at the start of year for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 by the Irish Horse Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra397. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual work plans submitted by the Horse Sport Ireland at the start of each year and the corresponding year-end report on activities for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23482/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.
The contracts for the delivery of National Breeding Services and the National Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector both commenced on 1 January 2023 and will conclude at the end of 2026.
My Department has commenced the tendering process for the delivery of both of these services from 1 January 2027.
Given the commercial sensitivities associated with annual work plans, it would not be appropriate to make these publicly available.
However, the approved activities in respect of the these services for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 are included in the annual reports published on the following link gov.ie - Animal Breeding: www.gov.ie/en/publication/412da-animal-breeding/#zootechnics-and-recognised-establishments-in-the-zootechnical-field or at the following webpage: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/animal-breeding.
The 2026 report will not be available until after the end of this year.
398. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1456 of March 18, 2026, if he is aware of governance issues within an organisation (details supplied); if he is aware of issues relating to governance reform; if these issues were discussed in his recent meeting with the organisation's committee and during his visit to the organisation; the efforts his Department has made if any to support governance improvement in the organisation; his views on the implication of governance issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23483/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor clarification the two named organisations are independent companies limited by guarantee.
I am aware that one of the named organisations are considering the options around governance reform. However, these matters do not fall with the remit of my Department which is guided by the obligations of the EU Animal Breeding Regulations in relation to the recognition of breed societies and approval of breeding programmes. Therefore, governance issues are a matter for the Society.
399. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1456 of March 18, 2026, the financial supports made available to an organisation (details supplied) since 2023; the marketing and promotion efforts made by his Department or agencies supported by his Department since 2023 to market and promote the traditional Irish horse; if sufficient marketing and promotion of the traditional Irish horse has been undertaken on behalf of the organisation's breeders in the past five years; if his Department plans to increase the marketing and promotion of traditional Irish horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23484/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has made no direct financial supports to the named organisation or breeders since 2023. The marketing and promotion of the Irish sport horse sector, including the traditional Irish horse, falls under the remit of the Irish Horse Board which is under contract for the provision of National Marketing Services since 2023.
In this regard, I have provided €800k plus VAT annually since 2023 for their activities. The contract includes the promotion and marketing of Irish bred horses and Irish breeders and producers, to protect, enhance and build the reputation of the sport horse industry, to increase National and International exposure of the Irish Sport Horse Industry.
The provision of National Marketing Services is designed to serve the entirety of the Irish sport horse sector rather than any individual breed or breed associations and funding allocations reflect this framework.
The activities carried out under the National Marketing Services are included in the annual reports published on the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/animal-breeding/#dafm-supported-organisations-in-animal-breeding or at the following webpage: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/animal-breeding].
The contract for these Services commenced on 1 January 2023. The current contract ends on 31 December 2026. In advance of this date, a competitive procurement competition will be launched for the provision of these services from 1 January 2027.
400. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with an intellectual disability currently living with family carers who have no approved future residential or care plan in place; the number of such persons aged over 25 years with high or profound support needs awaiting appropriate placements; the steps being taken to ensure continuity of care where a primary family carer becomes incapacitated or dies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23403/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for asking this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
401. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a national policy or framework exists to provide forward planning for adults with intellectual disabilities living with ageing or vulnerable carers; if she will provide details of current waiting lists for residential and high-support placements, including average waiting times; the measures in place to prevent inappropriate placements, including in nursing homes, for younger adults with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23404/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government recognises the requirement for a whole-of-government approach to advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In 2025, this Government published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will work in collaboration with a number of other Departments and agencies including the HSE and Local Authorities, to advance Pillar 3 of the Strategy, which outlines a collective approach to provide a clear pathway for disabled people to access the supports they require to live independently and address societal barriers that impact on their daily lives.
The work undertaken in line with this strategy will support a move to a more planned approach to providing residential supports to people with disabilities.
As of December 2025, approximately 90 service providers are delivering 8,911 specialist disability residential places. Between 2020 and 2025, 955 new residential places have been provided to people with disabilities.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, to expand and develop residential services for people with disabilities. A number of actions are underway to move towards a more planned approach to providing residential care.
Budget 2026 has provided approximately €3.9 billion to Specialist disability services, up 20% on last year.
This Budget includes additional funding for residential and respite services to expand and increase provision in these areas to support people with disabilities and their families and carer(s).
As per the HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan, this will support an increase of 199 new residential responses in 2026, which will include 152 newly developed places. The 2026 National Service Plan includes details of a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision to include the development of 72 new planned residential placements, and progress reflected in key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure transparency and accountability in meeting service needs.
These planned places will be able to respond to residential needs demonstrated on the HSE’s DSMAT profiling tool. Generally, the majority of people with disabilities who receive new residential placements are currently living with their parent(s) or carer(s) and it should be expected that a number of the new planned places and unplanned urgent places funded in 2026, will be provided to people with disabilities, living with older parents.
In 2026, with allocated funding, the HSE has begun work to establish Residential Placement Planning & Review Teams in each Regional Health Area. The aim of these teams will be to ensure that individuals are appropriately assessed in relation to support needs prior to placement in residential services and reviewed in a timely manner for duration of the placement in respect of quality of care and support needs.
HSE Disability programme leads are developing a procurement framework for residential placements with for-profit agencies which will focus primarily on purchasing placements on a group basis. This is expected to improve the ability of the HSE to negotiate more cost-effective placements. The procurement framework is expected to be in place by Quarter two 2026.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Housing Authorities, and the HSE, to explore means of responding to the need for additional capacity, which can assist forward planning and cost-effective placements.
As this question includes issues related to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly in respect of the relevant matters.
402. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the recently revised assessment of need framework limits reduces access to cognitive assessment for children, including in cases where intellectual disability is not suspected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23131/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra403. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which the revised assessment of need framework ensures that children with uneven developmental profiles, including those who may be gifted or twice-exceptional that is, children with both high ability and additional needs such as autism, ADHD, or dyslexia, will be appropriately identified within the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23132/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has conducted any impact assessment on how the revised model may affect the identification of children whose needs are masked by high cognitive ability or compensatory functioning; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23133/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra405. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the safeguards that are in place to prevent under-identification of children whose needs are masked by high cognitive ability or compensatory functioning, particularly in light of evidence that twice-exceptional children are already under-recognised within Irish education and disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23134/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra406. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if access to cognitive or psychological assessment remains available where there is evidence of significant intra-individual discrepancy, asynchronous development, or unexplained underachievement in children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23135/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra407. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration has been given to the potential for increased reliance on private assessments arising from any restriction in public access to cognitive assessment, and the implications this may have for equity of access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23136/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra408. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the training or guidance being provided to assessment officers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure that complex presentations, including masking and twice-exceptionality, are recognised under the revised model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23137/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra409. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department intends to review the implementation of the revised assessment of need framework to ensure that no cohort of children is excluded from identification due to the streamlining of assessment processes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23138/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408 and 409 together.
The Assessment of Need process is intended to determine if a person has a disability, as described in the Disability Act 2005, and, if they do, their health and education needs (if any) and the health and education services required to meet those needs.
The proposed changes to the Disability Act will not change the definition of disability as set out in the Act, nor will they change the type or quality of clinical assessments available or the role of the Assessment Officer in establishing whether there is a disability as defined under the Disability Act.
The proposed improvements to the Assessment of Need (AON) process are designed to clarify processes, support and strengthen decision-making, and ensure greater consistency across HSE regions.
The HSE Assessments Officers will continue to have access to appropriate training and supports to ensure consistency, compliance with statutory obligations, and high-quality engagement with children and families. As well as induction and ongoing training, Assessment Officers have structured access to clinical expertise within relevant services such as Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) and Primary Care. This includes:
• Clinical consultation sessions to support decision making in complex cases.
• Access to discipline-specific clinicians for advice regarding assessment pathways, interpretation of clinical documentation, and onward referrals.
• Escalation routes to senior clinicians or Disability Managers where cases present with atypical or multifaceted needs.
• Peer support and supervision.
It is important to emphasise that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) or Mental Health Services, or education supports.
Families who have concerns regarding their child’s health or developmental needs should contact the HSE to access the appropriate services. HSE services work on a needs-led rather than diagnosis-led system and will work with families to develop an appropriate plan and supports for their children. For example, CDNTs follow best clinical practice when working with children and operate under the well-established philosophy of family-centred practice.
With regard to the wider legislative reforms, Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process in December 2025 which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment. These changes includes legislative reform and operational improvements to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the Assessment of Need process.
Under the proposed improvements to the Assessment of Need process there will be no change to a person’s right to apply for an Assessment of Need or to the statutory timeframe for processing an eligible Assessment of Need application, which is 6 months from the date it is received.
For families who have further concerns, the Department has published Frequently Asked Questions on the proposed legislative changes which in addition to the material above may be of assistance. These documents are available on the Department’s website under Publications: “Assessment of Needs Process and Proposed Changes” (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/from-subject-received-size-categories-aoife-carragher-dcde-fw-dcde-website-aon-1532-1-mb/).
With regard to the use of private clinical assessments, these are procured through the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative which focuses on those children and families who have been waiting longest for an Assessment of Need. The HSE and HSE-funded agencies ensure that the contracted providers are appropriately qualified and that any assessments or interventions are provided in line with the appropriate standards, appropriate procurement procedures, Garda vetting and due diligence practice.
Any privately commissioned reports for Assessment of Need are reviewed by an appropriately qualified HSE clinician at local level to ensure they meet adequate governance standards.
The Department will continue to work with the HSE towards supporting improved and more timely access to quality services and assessments for children and their families.
