932 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on a proposal (details supplied); if he will provide funding for such a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10876/09]
View answerThe Control of Horses Act, 1996 was introduced to address the problem of wandering horses, mainly in urban areas. The Act assigns to local authorities the primary role for dealing with wandering horses. Under the provisions of the Act my Department is empowered to make grants available to local authorities towards expenses they incur in its implementation.
Funding under the Act has also resulted in the establishment of equine projects, where the relevant local authority has considered that its support for such a project is consistent with the implementation of the Act. Therefore any grant assistance from Department for horse projects can only be provided to the local authority in question.
If a request is made to my Department from the relevant local authority, it will be considered in the context of current budgetary considerations together with the operation of the Control of Horses Act.
933 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will approve the application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10898/09]
View answerAn application for afforestation grant aid on behalf of the person in question has been refused by my Department, following an appeals procedure, on the basis that the elevation level of the site, its exposure to the elements and its non-compatibility with the landscape environment would render it ineligible for grant aid.
