Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
109. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department has taken to ensure the mistreatment of animals, in particular horses, is being reduced and nullified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35775/26]
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 this matter most seriously.
I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner and remain 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.
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. 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.
The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. It must be emphasised that primary responsibility for the health and welfare of equines lies with the owner or keeper.
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.
Development of a new animal welfare strategy is now well underway by my Department following broad stakeholder engagement including a non-statutory public consultation. In excess of 1750 individual submissions were received as part of that process, which are currently under analysis by my Department.
The new strategy will continue to adopt a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, acknowledging and valuing the inter-dependencies between human, animal and environmental health, and taking an evidence-led approach to policy making, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation.
In line with the Programme for Government and our current Animal Welfare Strategy, which is in the process of being renewed, I also support sustainable initiatives which includes 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 ten live projects, and I would welcome new submissions from local authorities to develop urban horse projects in their respective areas.
Under the Animal Welfare Grants programme, in December 2025, my Department provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country. Of that figure, just over €4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
