WITH animal welfare charities under pressure due to an unprecedented number of animals surrenders from hard-pressed families nationwide, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD (FF) told the Dáil more needs to be done to protect horse welfare.

The issue was raised in a Dáil question by Cork North Central TD Pádraig O’Sullivan (FF) who welcomed the doubling of funding by the DAFM to €5.8 million to 99 animal welfare charities nationwide. “We are actually now exporting animals abroad, such is the extent of the surrenders. The DSPCA alone has approximately 850 animals at this stage. They [animal welfare organisations] are feeling overwhelmed. I also want to stress the issues with horses particularly, not just in Cork city but in many cities across the country. I want to alert the Minister that myself and Senator McGreehan are intent on drafting a Bill to deal with some of the matters that are arising,” said Deputy O’Sullivan.

In reply, Minister McConalogue said: “I am happy to meet the Deputy further on this. I know he has been a strong advocate for this matter and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has given its attention to it. I am certainly happy to continue to work with him to make progress on it. We have work to do; there are real challenges in some parts of the country.

“The welfare of all horses is not where it should be. We have to work together to make sure there is not space for that to be the case. We have to work with all agencies to address issues where challenges are arising. I am happy to work with the Deputy on any legislative changes which could be helpful and to support that effort as well.”

Encouraging people to rehome a pet where possible from animal welfare charities, Minister McConalogue further added that the Government is very aware of the pressure on such charities and the relevant funding when it comes to profiling the budgets for next year.

Sand cost raised in Dail

IN other Dail questions, Carlow-Kilkenny TD John McGuinnes (FF), asked the Minister “if he is satisfied that the funding of €50,000.00 approximately allocated by Horse Sport Ireland for the purchase of sand for the Greenogue facility was spent in accordance with all procurement requirements and represented value for money.”

In reply, Minister McConalogue stated: “I would like to clarify that my Department did not allocate €50,000 to Horse Sport Ireland for the purchase of sand for the Greenogue Equestrian facility.”