Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1574. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of monies assigned to animal welfare organisations for 2020, 2021, and 2022, inclusive, including a breakdown of animals these organisations worked with; and the criteria by which organisations’ applications are assessed. [13457/23]

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

In December 2022, I announced the record allocation of over €5.8 million in funding to 99 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grant Programme. This marks the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department.

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 level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities, and the provision of education or awareness raising activities relating to animal welfare. Throughput of animals and rehoming figures are also assessed, along with reports from veterinary inspectors relating to veterinary inspections of the premises.

A common theme, including the most recent year’s funding, recognises 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.

The attached spreadsheet provides information on awards granted to the individual animal welfare organisations for the years in question. These organisations provide for the care and welfare of a broad range of animals. The attached spreadsheet also references those animal where the majority of the individual organisations resources are focused.

Details of these individual award are also made available to the public on announcement:

gov.ie - Minister McConalogue announced record animal welfare charities funding (www.gov.ie)