I propose to take Questions Nos. 659 and 662 to 666, inclusive, together.
The Control of Horses Act, 1996 was introduced to address serious problems being caused by straying horses wandering onto public roads and lands and posing risks to the public, especially motorists, and young children and property (both public and private). Local authorities have responsibility for implementing the Act and for setting fees. Under the legislation, as Minister for Agriculture, I may offer assistance to local authorities towards expenses incurred in implementation of the Act and in this regard, an amount of €3.025m was provided in 2013 to local authorities.
In regard to re-homing, my Department supports all efforts towards re-homing as evidenced in the re-homing undertaken following the large number of horse seizures in Cork last autumn. My Department offers local authorities €200 towards the re-homing of each horse. Unfortunately it is not possible to re-home all equines because of the substantial numbers involved and the cost of keeping a horse. Where re-homing is not an option, €450 is available to local authorities for the costs associated with disposal. In an effort to ensure increased re-homing of unwanted horses, I provided funding of €1.8m to assist animal welfare organisations in their activities in 2014. I specifically increased funding to those organisations involved in horse welfare activities to ensure sufficient resources are available to cater for any difficulties arising in the area of horse welfare over the coming year. In this regard funding of €210,000 was provided to both the ISPCA and the DSPCA to enable these organisations to continue their work in rescuing horses and absorb some costs associated with re-homing horses.
The relevant legislation in relation to euthanasia of all animals is primarily Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24th September 2009, on the protection of animals at the time of killing. It sets out the various methods that are appropriate for different species including horses and all euthanasia must be carried out humanely in accordance with the legislation.
My Department continues to stress that it is the responsibility of horse owners to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. My Department will, in conjunction with the local authorities and An Garda Siochana, continue to adopt a pro-active approach in relation to horse welfare and will remove at-risk animals and, where appropriate, institute prosecution relating to any mal-treatment of these animals. I recently introduced new legislation, namely the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which places clear obligations on owners regarding the need to look after animals in their care. My Department has been operating an Animal Welfare Helpline for some time with a view to enabling persons who are concerned about the welfare of horses or indeed any animal to contact the Department at email animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie and on lo-call 1850 211 990.
The table below, which is based on the information provided to my Department by local authorities, sets out details of amounts paid to Local authorities for 2013 in their operation of the
Control of Horses Act.
City/County Co's
|
Paid 2013
|
No. Of Horses seized
2013
|
No. of Horses Euthanised 2013
|
No. of Horses reclaimed 2013
|
No. of Horses rehomed 2013
|
Carlow Co. Council
|
79,076.51
|
82
|
65
|
4
|
10
|
Cavan Co. Council
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Clare Co. Council
|
68,436.95
|
47
|
37
|
10
|
0
|
Cork Co. Council
|
113,992.80
|
227
|
144
|
78
|
2
|
Cork City Council
|
75,014.47
|
173
|
120
|
47
|
6
|
Donegal Co. Council
|
29,070.27
|
40
|
29
|
9
|
2
|
Dublin City Council
|
239,471.43
|
332
|
303
|
2
|
10
|
Sth Dublin Co. Council
|
220,582.86
|
324
|
285
|
23
|
16
|
Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown Co Council
|
41,467.86
|
61
|
40
|
7
|
5
|
Fingal Co. Council
|
65,888.74
|
117
|
96
|
15
|
1
|
Galway City Council
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Galway Co. Council
|
282,081.88
|
327
|
283
|
6
|
38
|
Kerry Co. Council
|
41,240.50
|
37
|
32
|
1
|
4
|
Kildare Co. Council
|
160,256.23
|
322
|
308
|
13
|
1
|
Kilkenny Co. Council
|
81,906.92
|
99
|
81
|
3
|
3
|
Laois Co. Council
|
184,868.07
|
220
|
171
|
18
|
23
|
Leitrim Co. Council
|
8,142.24
|
22
|
20
|
0
|
2
|
Limerick Co. Council
|
115,936.57
|
130
|
125
|
4
|
1
|
Limerick City Council
|
208,499.56
|
222
|
206
|
14
|
0
|
Longford Co. Council
|
8,479.66
|
25
|
6
|
7
|
6
|
Louth Co. Council
|
63,216.53
|
145
|
107
|
26
|
12
|
Mayo Co. Council
|
92,479.00
|
202
|
101
|
1
|
100
|
Meath Co. Council
|
90,448.48
|
172
|
161
|
2
|
6
|
Monaghan Co. Council
|
27,946.80
|
96
|
86
|
7
|
3
|
Offaly Co. Council
|
35,100.71
|
60
|
45
|
0
|
15
|
Roscommon Co. Council
|
106,549.32
|
235
|
197
|
10
|
3
|
Sligo Co. Council
|
39,732.50
|
89
|
70
|
4
|
15
|
Tipperary (North Riding) Co. Council
|
60,384.58
|
92
|
83
|
9
|
0
|
Tipperary (South Riding) Co. Council
|
73,597.63
|
123
|
103
|
7
|
13
|
Waterford City Council
|
47,284.16
|
59
|
44
|
14
|
0
|
Waterford Co. Council
|
23,315.22
|
18
|
16
|
2
|
0
|
Westmeath Co. Council
|
77,723.03
|
118
|
69
|
11
|
35
|
Wexford Co. Council
|
76,992.15
|
163
|
127
|
10
|
16
|
Wicklow Co. Council
|
186,415.58
|
354
|
319
|
17
|
15
|
Totals
|
3,025,599.21
|
4,733
|
3879
|
381
|
363
|