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Animal Welfare

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Questions (893)

Martin Browne

Question:

893. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the measures being taken to address equine welfare in County Tipperary; if his attention has been drawn to continued instances of neglected and abused horses being discovered in areas such as Littleton; if his attention has been further drawn to the work being carried out by an organisation (details supplied) in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9096/22]

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Written answers

Government policy is clear and consistent - animal cruelty is totally unacceptable. My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of suspected animal cruelty or neglect. The specific incident was reported to the Department via this helpline and is currently under investigation by Department officials and it is being treated with the utmost seriousness.

As this is primarily a Control of Horses issue on public lands, the Department is working with Tipperary County Council and other stakeholders, to safeguard the longer term animal welfare issues at this location, using a collaborative approach.

In recognition of the important role played by the many organisations safeguarding animals throughout the country, in December 2021 I announced record funding of over €3.7 million for 98 eligible animal welfare organisations. Of this, I was pleased to award funding of €26,250 to the organisation mentioned. This exchequer funding helps support the organisation in its animal welfare work.

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