Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an animal welfare ex-gratia funding payment (details supplied). [48281/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In recognition of the importance of the work of animal welfare bodies, my Department have been providing funding directly to animal welfare bodies since 1995. This assists them in providing valuable services in the area of animal welfare. In December 2018, I announced record funding awards of €2,751,000 to 108 animal welfare organisations throughout the country.

An advertisement was placed in the national press earlier this year inviting applications from welfare bodies for funding in respect of their activities in 2020. Applications for funding from animal welfare bodies are assessed and awards made on the basis of certain criteria, including the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals and the level of funding raised from other sources to support welfare activities. To date, 110 applications have been received including one from the organisation named. These are currently being processed and I expect to make an announcement on funding by the end of the year.