Animal Welfare

Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Questions (317)

Bríd Smith

Question:

317. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the work that an organisation (details supplied) carries out, and its desire to provide a much-needed national wildlife rehabilitation and teaching hospital and ancillary services; if he is aware that a suitable site was identified at St. Ita’s, and that the organisation had been working with Fingal County Council in this regard; if there are plans to allow the organisation to progress this important project; if not, whether he will commit to helping the organisation identify a suitable, accessible site and resource it to provide this much-needed hospital and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26948/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has policy responsibility for wild fauna.

My Department does however administer an animal welfare grant programme that provides supports towards operational costs of eligible animal welfare charities. Applications for 2024 opened on 1st May and the closing date was 31st May. This grants programme does not cover capital costs.

Grant awards are made on the basis of objective criteria which are reviewed on an annual basis. The awards align with the goals set out in my Department's animal welfare strategy, which I published in 2021.