Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1447. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a requested fresh veterinary inspection will take place (details supplied); and for an update on the complaint lodged with his Department on 22 August 2025 concerning the original inspection. [59345/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Animal welfare is a 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 re-homing animals. In November 2024, funding of almost €6 million was provided to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide including an award of €6,175 to the organisation in question.

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 along with veterinary inspection of the premises.

My Department does not comment on individual organisations. However, I can confirm that my Department has liaised with the named organisation directly regarding the issues raised and informed them of appropriate courses of action.