Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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514. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the impending closure of an animal rehabilitation centre (details supplied); if his Department has plans for the building, stables and lands which was used by the centre given its importance to the local community as well as its regional work; and if he will work with the organisation to determine if funding will be found for the shelter to be retained and operated in Donegal. [50297/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Animal welfare is a key priority for me, as Minister, and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provides considerable support for animal welfare charities to assist them in their vital work in rescuing and rehoming animals. In November 2024, funding of almost €6 million was provided to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide including an award of €931,750 to the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and €32,400 to ISPCA Donegal.

My Department has no involvement in the day-to-day running of these charities. It is therefore at the discretion of the ISPCA to deploy resources where they deem can have the maximum impact with regard to their financial situation.

My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.

The dedicated e-mail address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:

Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.

Email address -