Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
284. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of authorised officers employed specifically to investigate canine welfare and companion animals as opposed to agricultural livestock. [47446/22]
View answerUnder the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, the Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals, including canines.
Since the introduction of the Act, 1,089 Department officials have been designated as authorised officers. In addition to its own staff, the Department has a service level agreement with a number of organisations, enabling the appointment of authorised officers within these organisations and thus supporting further enforcement of the animal welfare legislation. Currently there are 17 authorised officers appointed in such organisations that deal primarily with canine and companion animals.
I assure the Deputy that my policy and the policy of Government 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 animal cruelty or neglect. Reports of suspected neglect or abuse are followed up by Department veterinary staff in the Regional Veterinary Offices or in some cases they are referred to authorised officers in these other organisations, for investigation.
