Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1167. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently move to appoint an authorised officer for animal welfare in each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56394/23]
View answerUnder the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, my Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals.
Section 37 of the Act provides for a manager of a local authority to appoint officers as authorised officers under the Act. As such, this is a matter for each individual local authority to consider.
Since the introduction of the Act, many officials within my Department 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 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 Horseracing Regulatory Board have been appointed as authorised officers in this way. It is the responsibility of these organisations to then allocate staff resources as appropriate to their particular roles.
