Thomas Gould
Question:163. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reports of equine abuse or neglect to his Department by county in 2021 and 2020. [7011/22]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
163. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reports of equine abuse or neglect to his Department by county in 2021 and 2020. [7011/22]
View answerThe Table below sets out the data requested - complaints received regarding the care equines (horses and donkeys) in 2020 and 2021.
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County |
Equine Complaints 2020 |
Equine Complaints 2021 |
Carlow |
5 |
8 |
Cavan |
3 |
4 |
Clare |
36 |
38 |
Cork |
51 |
25 |
Donegal |
6 |
5 |
Dublin |
61 |
52 |
Galway |
52 |
60 |
Kerry |
14 |
13 |
Kildare |
24 |
24 |
Kilkenny |
7 |
6 |
Laois |
9 |
11 |
Leitrim |
1 |
1 |
Limerick |
28 |
37 |
Longford |
3 |
0 |
Louth |
3 |
3 |
Mayo |
38 |
32 |
Meath |
6 |
9 |
Monaghan |
2 |
3 |
Offaly |
2 |
6 |
Roscommon |
8 |
14 |
Sligo |
2 |
11 |
Tipperary |
33 |
28 |
Waterford |
6 |
2 |
Westmeath |
11 |
6 |
Wexford |
6 |
6 |
Wicklow |
18 |
20 |
TOTAL |
435 |
424 |
Animal welfare is high on the agenda of my Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to address the issue. In December 2021, I announced the provision of record funding of over €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare organisations throughout the country, many of which work with equines.
My Department work with and support local authorities and NGOs in progressing urban projects, which provide new structures and education projects with the aim of encouraging young people in the care and welfare of horses. There are currently projects at every stage from the initial feasibility and planning stages to the operating stage around the country.