Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1783. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an animal welfare organisation (details supplied) have had their annual animal welfare grant reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73959/25]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. Considerable funding is provided to support, eligible, animal welfare charities, nationwide, through the annual Animal Welfare Grant Programme, which is administered by my Department.
Each year my Department invites eligible animal welfare charities to submit a funding application, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. To qualify, applicants must meet specified requirements, which are made available through the application process. The application process is robust and comprehensive. Applicants are asked to provide information on their activities, including reporting specific data and metrics, requested as part of the process, with successful applicants allocated funding on the basis of objective criteria which are reviewed on an annual basis.
The awards support a wide range of criteria including the numbers of animals assisted, re-homing figures, the provision of education and knowledge sharing to the public on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, helping to raise animal welfare standards. Veterinary inspection results are also taken into consideration when grant amounts are determined. Details provided by the organisation, referenced by the Deputy were considered alongside plans/initiatives for the coming year.
In December 2025, I provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country. Funding is not guaranteed to any applicant on an annual basis and eligibility is determined each year. Allocations of grants are dependent on the resources available and the number of competing applicants annually.
