Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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29. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views regarding the operation of the DSPCA, which has received substantial funds from his Department in order to carry out important animal welfare functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42806/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), a registered charity, established in 1840, is one of a number of animal welfare organisations providing an important service to animals in need in the greater Dublin area. As a registered charity, the DSPCA comes under the scope of the new Charities Regulatory Authority which has been established under the terms of the Charities Act 2009 and falls within the area of responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.

With regard to its animal welfare activities, the DSPCA is amongst 136 animal welfare bodies who received funding from my Department in 2013 to assist in its work in dealing with problems associated with cruelty, neglect and sickness to animals and in important work in rescue and rehoming of animals. Each organisation in receipt of funding for animal welfare activities is provided with a detailed Code of Practice by my Department, which sets out recommendations aimed at promoting sound animal welfare and management practices. In particular, the DSPCA (as with other recipients of funding) is askedto ensure that the general public in their catchment areas is aware of the organisation’s activities as this provides an opportunity for people to report on suspected cases of animal cruelty. I am aware that the DSPCA has a very active engagement with schooland community groups in the greater Dublin area and its environs and that it provides a valuable service in relation to animal welfare issues in the area.