THERE’s been a sharp decline in the numbers of horses seized nationwide by the authorities over the past five years, the Dail heard recently.

Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould (SF) raised the issue, seeking the total figures seized under the Control of Horses Act 1996.

Enforcement of the Act, which gives power to seize stray and wandering horses, is down to each local authority which then claims back any expenses incurred from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

In response, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD (FF) detailed the following figures of seized horses nationwide over the past five years:

2017: 1,603

2018: 1,460

2019: 1,050

2020: 819

2021: 477

Deputy Gould also asked the Minister what DAFM funding was provided to Cork City Council (CCC) for the control of horses from 2017-2021.

This funding to CCC was detailed by Minister McConalogue as:

2017: €11,950.00

2018: €14,200.00

2019: € 4,675.00

2020: € 2,375.00

2021: € 4,975.00

2022 to date: €1,550.00