Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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225. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be given detailed consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58258/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Any pension increases granted are at the discretion of Coillte and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. 

A request for such consent is being considered at present.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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226. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the information and concerns in documentation (details supplied); and if he will ensure that an independent investigation is launched into the concerns raised. [58275/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is in receipt of the email in question.

Since significant sums of taxpayers' money are involved and to ensure good governance and a level playing field for all animal welfare organisations seeking public funding, all applications for financial support are administered through the annual programme, where the same rigorous criteria are applied in assessing each application.

Awards are made on the basis of objective criteria which are reviewed on an annual basis. These include the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals.

The process involves thorough veterinary inspections of each premises involved to ensure compliance and suitability for funding.

The 2022 call for grant applications was launched in June and applications, including that from the named organisation, are now being evaluated by my officials. I will make an announcement on grants awarded next month.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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227. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding irregularities in registered charities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58311/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The issues addressed to the Charities Regulator in the correspondence were responded to by that body in February 2022. It is for that body to decide as to whether discussions with the ISPCA are warranted.

A number of the issues outlined in the correspondence by the individual were previously raised with my Department in 2021. These matters were examined by my Department at that time. Following that examination, based on the information available, my Department is fully satisfied that the public funding assigned to the organisations in question has been used appropriately.