I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.
Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provided considerable support for animal welfare charities, with €6 million awarded to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide, in 2024 including the organisation in question.
Animal Welfare Grants are paid under the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) Circular 13 of 2014. Charities with an income of over €100,000 must submit audited accounts and these accounts must be signed and dated by the auditor. All applicants including the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) must adhere to the terms and conditions of the Animal Welfare Grants Programme and must provide a Certificate of Assurance certifying that the public money granted was used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant funding. The Terms and Conditions of grant funding are available on my Departments website and are reviewed annually. The ISPCA grant award payment issued in two tranches, an initial payment of €200,000 in August 2024 and the balance in November 2024. As part of the process each applicant is issued with an award letter detailed the award amount. A copy of the ISPCA award letter is attached. The initial payment was made to assist the organisation with operational costs while they were awaiting release of a bequest.
ISPCA Letter
