Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
370. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take the necessary steps to ensure there is an authorised animal welfare officer for County Clare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49407/23]
View answerUnder the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, my Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals. Enforcement controls on animal welfare are shared across a number of organisations as well as my Department.
Since the introduction of the Act, many Department veterinary inspectors 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.
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.
I may also enter into service agreements with other bodies under which authorised officers may be appointed. A number of 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 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 €86,000 to charities in County Clare.
If the public are aware of any cases of suspected abuse or neglect, they can contact my Department's animal welfare helpline on:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
A list of my Department's regional veterinary offices is available here: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/9dc27-contact-us/#regional-offices
