Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 January 2014
174. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to issues surrounding the welfare of abandoned and stray horses in County Galway; if he will confirm the subsidy per horse; the amount of funding provided via subsidies to both Galway County Council and Galway City Council in 2013; the savings to be made in the new scheme to be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4666/14]
View answerThe Control of Horses Act, 1996 provides powers to local authorities, including powers for the enactment of bye-laws for the control and welfare of horses in the local authorities’ functional area. My Department provides financial support to local authorities to assist their work in implementing the Act. In 2013 my Department provided funding amounting of €282,081 to Galway County Council. A proportion of this related to claims in previous years. Galway City Council did not make any claims for funding in 2013.
The Deputy will be aware of the increased number of horses being seized under the Control of Horses Act around the country and the need to ensure that scarce resources are allocated accordingly. In 2012, a protocol agreed between my Department and local authorities outlined the need for greater uniformity in how local authorities apply the Control of Horses Act in their respective areas with a view to achieving savings and efficiencies in implementation of the Act. Local authorities were informed last Autumn that the maximum contribution payable from my Department with effect from 1 October 2013 is €450 per horse seized. It remains open to local authorities to top up this €450 rate. I welcome the fact that local authorities are engaged in tendering joint initiatives for services under the Act, thereby leading to substantial savings being made.
Officials from my Department continue to liaise with local authority officials in Galway to underline how implementation of the Control of Horses Act, together with legislation governing equine identification, can assist with controlling horses, particularly with regard to horses that are straying and or abandoned so as to prevent injury or nuisance to persons or damage to property.
Officials located in my Department’s Regional Veterinary office continue to address horse welfare issues coming within my Departments area of responsibility as and when they arise.
