Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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371. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action that will be taken on the feedback obtained through the animal welfare seminar which was held on 5 October 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61456/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Animal Welfare Seminar held in my Department's Backweston Campus on 5th October was a very positive event organised by my officials and attended by almost 100 representatives from animal welfare charities which receive funding from my Department. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak at the event and presentations were provided by UCD and officials from my Department.

The seminar facilitated excellent engagement and interaction between these organisations and officials from my Department, through Q&A sessions and group discussions.

Officials from my Department have reported on feedback obtained through this engagement to the Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare, which plays a key role in helping to guide policy direction relating to companion animal welfare for my Department. 

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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372. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria that applied when determining the animal welfare organisations that received increased funding under the animal welfare grant scheme for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61457/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and the Government. Considerable funding is provided to support animal welfare charity organisations.

In December 2021, I awarded record funding of €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare charities throughout the country, through the Animal Welfare Grant Programme. This is evidence of my own and the Government’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare and acknowledges and supports the important role played by animal welfare organisations.

The Programme for Government includes an undertaking to provide additional funding in support of animal welfare charities again this year, to which I am fully committed.  

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 and the level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities. Throughput of animals and rehoming figures are assessed along with veterinary inspection of the premises. 

As with last year’s awards, this year’s funding will recognise the importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally. For example, raising awareness on responsible pet ownership can help to prevent dogs subsequently being abandoned or surrendered to charities for rehoming, thus helping to reduce the pressure dog shelters and charities may come under.

This year Animal Welfare Awareness Day 2022 takes place on 8th December and I will announce the grant awards to charities then.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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373. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the manner in which applications for funding under the animal welfare grant scheme are assessed. [61458/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and the Government. Considerable funding is provided to support animal welfare charity organisations.

In December 2021, I awarded record funding of €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare charities throughout the country, through the Animal Welfare Grant Programme. This is evidence of my own and the Government’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare and acknowledges and supports the important role played by animal welfare organisations.

The Programme for Government includes an undertaking to provide additional funding in support of animal welfare charities again this year, to which I am fully committed.  

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 and the level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities. Throughput of animals and rehoming figures are assessed along with veterinary inspection of the premises. 

As with last year’s awards, this year’s funding will recognise the importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally.

For example, raising awareness on responsible pet ownership can help to prevent dogs subsequently being abandoned or surrendered to charities for rehoming, thus helping to reduce the pressure dog shelters and charities may come under.

This year Animal Welfare Awareness Day 2022 takes place on 8th December and I will announce the grant awards to charities on that day.