Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that grant aid in respect of animal welfare which amounts to €1.1 million per year is value for money and that the various organisations are providing a service that is in keeping with funding from public moneys; if he is satisfied that they publish accounts and have audited accounts of public money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47231/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since 1995, my Department has made ex-gratia payments to a number of organisations directly involved in the delivery of animal care. This funding is intended only as a contribution to the overall costs of an organisation.

Applications for funding are considered against a number of criteria. These include the standing of each applicant, past performance in respect of utilisation of grants from my Department and impact, real and potential (i.e. that direct care and welfare services to animals have been delivered which have had a meaningful impact on animal welfare in the locality). The levels of grant assistance provided also take account of the fact that large urban areas make particularly onerous demands on animal welfare services. In considering the amounts granted in each case, a conscious effort is made to achieve proportionality and the greatest possible spread of benefits from within available resources.

In December 2011 each organisation received a copy of the code of practice which sets out recommendations to promote sound welfare and management practice that all animal welfare organisations should adhere to. All applicants with income in excess of €100,000 are required to submit audited accounts.