Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
802. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that have been taken in conjunction with local authorities to ensure that the licensing and welfare of horses is taken seriously, especially in built-up areas. [41259/20]
View answerThe Control of Horses Act 1996 addresses situations when horses are kept in unsuitable conditions resulting in horses wandering onto public roads or public lands, posing serious risks to the public, especially motorists and young children. The Act provides for the designation, by local authority byelaws, of control areas in which horses cannot be kept without a licence. The Act also contains provisions on the licensing procedure and the identification of horses. Enforcement of the Act is a matter for each Local Authority and the matter of licencing is best discussed with the Local Authorities directly.
My Department continues to dedicate a substantial level of resources and funding to animal welfare. In December 2019, the largest ever allocation of funding from my Department of €2.906m to 106 animal welfare organisations was announced - several of these work with equines. I expect to make an announcement of funding for 2020 shortly.
The Programme for Government includes commitments prioritise equine welfare, and to provide additional urban horse welfare programmes in particular. My Department continues to take a proactive approach in tackling challenges by developing facilities for urban and Traveller horse populations, and in educating young people among these communities in the care and welfare of horses. This work is carried out in close collaboration with Local Authorities.
