Michael Ring
Question:1345. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an animal welfare officer will be appointed for Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39410/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1345)
Written answers
Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, my Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals.
Since the introduction of the Act, over 1,000 Department officials have been designated as authorised officers under the Act and their responsibilities include the enforcement of animal welfare legislation provided for under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department's network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, including the Regional Veterinary Office in Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Members of An Garda Síochána and officers of the Customs and Excise Service are directly authorised under the Act. The CEO of a local authority may also appoint officers of that local authority as authorised officers under the Act.
The Minister may also enter into service agreements under which authorised officers may be appointed. Inspectors of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rasaíocht Con Eireann, and the Irish Horse Racing Board have been appointed as authorised officers in this way. It is the responsibility of these organisations to then allocate these staff resources as appropriate to their particular roles.
My Department also provides considerable financial and administrative support to assist welfare organisations in carrying out their work in protecting animal welfare. In December 2022, I announced record funding of over €5.8 million to 99 animal welfare charities including over €155,000 to charities in County Mayo.