On 27 November 2025, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon provided written responses to Questions 134 and 145 from Deputy Pádraig O’Sullivan. The questions addressed two areas:
- Call volumes and activity related to the Department’s confidential animal welfare helpline, and
- Coordination between the Department, Gardaí, local authorities, and charities in animal welfare investigations.
The Minister chose to answer both questions together. Below is a summary of his response:
1. Animal Welfare Helpline Activity Since 2020
The Minister provided the number of calls received by the Department’s confidential animal welfare helpline for each year since 2020:
| Year | Animal Welfare Calls |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 846 |
| 2021 | 880 |
| 2022 | 1,251 |
| 2023 | 1,609 |
| 2024 | 2,210 |
| 2025 (end of Oct) | 2,040 |
| Total | 8,836 |
The Minister confirmed that all reports of alleged cruelty or neglect received by the Department are investigated.
He did not provide:
- the number of investigations arising from the calls
- or the results of those investigations
(both of which were asked in Question 134).
2. Enforcement and Authorised Officers
According to the Minister:
- The Department has lead policy responsibility for animal welfare.
- Approximately 1,000 staff in the Department have been designated as authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
- Many authorised officers are located in the Department’s Regional Veterinary Offices, providing nationwide coverage.
He stated that enforcement under the Act may also involve:
- An Garda Síochána
- Customs agents
- Local authorities
- The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA)
3. Coordination With Other Agencies
In response to Question 145, the Minister said that authorised officers — including those from the Gardaí, Customs, local authorities, and the NSPCA — undertake enforcement action where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
He did not specifically evaluate:
- the effectiveness of the current arrangements, or
- whether charities carry an undue share of responsibility
(both of which were asked in the question).
4. Role of Animal Welfare Organisations
The Minister acknowledged the work of animal welfare organisations, describing it as important and often carried out in challenging circumstances.
He stated that charities contribute to helping animals in need, education, and public awareness.
5. Reporting Animal Welfare Concerns
Members of the public can report suspected animal welfare issues via:
- Phone: 01 607 2379
- Email: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
- More ways to report a welfare concern.
