Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010
490 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the problem of uncontrolled horses in urban areas, particularly parts of Dublin; the steps he will take to reduce the supply of such horses (details supplied) in view of the fact that the current situation places a burden on local authorities as well as leading to widespread horse neglect. [20491/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is clear from on-going liaison between officials of my Department and representatives of relevant stakeholders including Local Authorities, Animal Welfare Organisations and the Horse Industry that horse welfare problems continue to be reported including a risk of abandonment of horses.
My Department provides annual funding in the region of €2m to Local Authorities to assist in their work in implementing the Control of Horses Act. Through the auspices of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council, my officials are continuing to work with the ISPCA in an effort to intervene in potential horse welfare situations before they become critical. Mindful of the valuable work being done by the welfare organisations and as a contribution towards the cost of their activities, I provided funding of €1.185 million in December 2009 towards their work in 2010. Some €100,000 was provided to Dublin SPCA to assist its work in 2010 including the valuable work it undertakes at the horse fair referred to by the Deputy. In providing funding to welfare bodies I also urged those welfare organisations that have the capacity to deal with larger animals to consider placing greater resources in promoting horse welfare.
As regards reducing the supply of horses at the horse fair referred to by the Deputy, this is an issue that is outside of my control. The problems associated with the holding of this fair are only partly related to animal welfare, with public safety issues also featuring. I have no legislative power in this matter.
