Written Answers Nos. 268-287
268. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average duration of employment of staff in each of the agencies involved in the end-to-end asylum process; and the current number of vacancies in each of the agencies involved in the end-to-end asylum process, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54360/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.
I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
269. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline in detail the discussions he has had with representatives of the British government in relation to the impact on the Common Travel Area of the Irish Government’s decision to sign up to the EU Asylum and Migration Pact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54361/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a central priority for me that our immigration system is robust and enforced.
In developing the State’s national implementation plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, my Department were satisfied that the new measures will not have any significant impact on the Common Travel Area (CTA).
The protection of an open border on the island of Ireland remains a key priority to the communities on both sides of the border. Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the CTA and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA.
There is extensive engagement, cooperation and intelligence sharing at all levels between my Department’s officials and their Home Office counterparts, as well as significant operational cooperation between the Gardaí, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to both immigration and criminal matters. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK, and will continue.
My Department chairs a Common Travel Area Forum with the UK Home Office which acts as a steering committee for the ongoing work of protecting the CTA in relation to free movement of its citizens between both countries while at the same time ensuring that the CTA is not abused by those not entitled to avail of it. The Forum meets twice yearly but also meets in sub-group format to address particular elements of Ireland/UK co-operation, bringing together relevant subject matter expertise in areas such as asylum and border management.
Since my appointment as Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I had a number of engagements with the former UK Home Secretary, Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, where we discussed cooperation in respect of managing the CTA, and our shared objectives to provide for effective management of migration and border security.
Whilst I have not had the opportunity to meet with the Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP since her appointment as Home Secretary just last month, I look forward to positive engagement with her in the future.
270. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to list the powers and responsibilities that will transfer from the Irish State to the European Union once the EU Asylum and Migration Pact becomes operational in June 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54362/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Ireland has opted in to the EU Migration and Pact which will come into effect in June 2026. The overall objective of the Pact measures, on which the new International Protection Bill shall be based, is to provide for a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure that is fit for purpose and which can respond effectively to fluctuations in migratory flows through convergence in asylum practices across the EU.
My Department continues to focus on preparing for the Pact in advance of June 2026.
The General Scheme of a new International Protection Bill to give effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact was approved by Government on 29 April 2025. The General Scheme has been published and referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for pre-legislative scrutiny. The drafting of the Bill is underway. It is expected that the Bill will be published by the end of the year. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 11 June 2026.
It is not accurate to frame the Migration and Asylum Pact and its coming into operation in June 2026 as a transfer of powers and responsibilities from the Irish State to the European Union. Rather, the Pact recognises that migration is a challenge experienced across the European Union, which requires sharing of responsibility, robust and fair management of external borders, and stronger governance of asylum and migration policies. Migration is inherently a transnational issue and the reality is that no country can deal with the challenges of migration alone. The Pact will provide convergence across the EU with the aim of reducing secondary movements and increasing the levels of return of those found not to be in need of international protection. This will be done in full respect of fundamental rights guaranteed under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
The European Union has competence in the area of Freedom, Security and Justice (which includes asylum) under Part 3 of Title V of the Treaty on the Function of the European Union, which was ratified by Ireland with the prior approval of the people in the referendum on the Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty of Lisbon) Act 2009.
Ireland has been and is today significantly integrated into migration and asylum policy at the European level. Ireland already participates in the Common European Asylum System and has opted in to and given effect in Irish law to earlier EU measures in this area, including the 2001 Temporary Protection Directive, the 2004 Qualifications Directive, the 2005 Asylum Procedures Directive, the Dublin III Regulation, the 2013 Eurodac Regulation, and the 2013 Reception Conditions Directive. Ireland has also opted in to the one Regulation of the Pact that is already operational, the Regulation establishing an EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA).
It should be noted that Ireland’s opting in to seven measures of the Pact in June 2024 followed votes of approval by both Houses of the Oireachtas, in accordance with the democratic procedures required by Article 29.4.7° iii of the Constitution. Ireland was heavily involved in the negotiation process at official and Ministerial level to ensure that Irish interests were reflected in the Pact measures. Ireland’s representatives in the European Parliament also had the opportunity to examine and vote on the Pact in April 2024.
271. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will meet with the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54373/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to my response to PQs 53380/25 and 53381/25, I have not received a request for a meeting from the family of the person concerned. In the event that such a request is received I will, of course, consider it.
272. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps he will take in response to the ruling by the European Court of Justice that the exclusion of compensation for pain and suffering under Ireland’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) is precluded by a 2004 EU directive that requires compensation to be fair, appropriate and take into account the seriousness of the consequences of the crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54374/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 2 October. The State supported a referral by the High Court for a preliminary ruling seeking clarity and guidance on the nature of damages that should be covered in a national scheme for compensation to victim of violent intentional crimes.
The High Court will now consider the implications of the judgment and decide the case that was referred to the CJEU.
In the meantime, my Department will also be giving careful consideration to the judgment.
273. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to commence a process (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54405/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a process exists for persons (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54406/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
Based on the information supplied by the Deputy, it has unfortunately not been possible to locate applications for the persons referred to.
However, if the Deputy can provide any additional information and personal details via my Department's Immigration Oireachtas service at IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, I will arrange for a further response to the Deputy.
275. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide the most recent figures available from the central statistics office or his Department setting out, on a proportional basis, the number of recorded sexual assault offences across the State by the nationality of persons convicted or charged with such offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54437/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe collation and publication of crime stats are a matter for the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The CSO is the national statistics agency, established under the Statistics Act 1993. Under section 13 of the Statistics Act 1993, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is fully independent in its role of publishing statistics, and the standards applied to these statistics.
Further to this, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all operational policing and security matters, including the analysis of crime trends. Furthermore, under section 34(1) of the Policing Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is independent in the performance of his functions. I have no responsibility in relation to these independent functions.
The CSO has confirmed that it does not currently receive any nationality data on victims or suspected offenders within the quarterly PULSE extract that it receives from An Garda Síochána.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that they are currently aligned with the CSO position whereby PULSE data regarding nationality and ethnicity are not considered suitable for publication.
276. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the projections that have been carried out by his Department regarding the number of Ukrainians likely to come to Ireland as a result of the decision by Ukrainian authorities to scrap the ban on males aged 18 to 22 years leaving the country; the number of these projections estimated to arrive in the State between now and the end of 2025 as a result of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54507/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent weeks Ireland has seen an increase in arrivals from Ukraine. One of the factors contributing to this rise appears to be a Ukrainian regulation allowing men aged 18 to 22 to leave the Ukraine once again. The highest number of temporary protection beneficiaries in Ireland continues to be women and children. My Department continues to monitor all trends carefully, but cannot predict with any certainty the numbers of persons from any demographic subgroup who may travel to Ireland in the coming months. We will also continue to work with relevant authorities across the EU to monitor trends.
On 15 July 2025, the Justice and Home Affairs Council unanimously agreed to extend Temporary Protection by a year until March 2027. As a result, those who have been granted temporary permission in Ireland will continue to benefit from the Directive. This permission is renewable on an annual basis for as long as the Directive remains in force.
277. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the steps that have been taken to address the lack of a legal definition of parental alienation which has caused confusion and inconsistencies in terms of cases before family courts, given reports that different department and bodies’ deal with it differently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54510/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department committed to undertake both a public consultation and independent research on the topic of parental alienation. The Department of Justice commissioned research into the area in 2021 and the open consultation on Parental Alienation was then held in May 2022. The findings of both were analysed and, arising from this, Departmental officials developed a policy paper on how to address the issue. This policy paper along with the independent research paper and consultations submissions were subsequently published on gov.ie.
Both the policy paper and the research report recognise that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive concept. While there is little concrete information on the exact extent of accusations of parental alienation within the Irish courts, the research report found that, similar to other courts internationally, there appears to be increasing claims of parental alienation in family law proceedings. It appears to arise particularly in custody and access disputes and in cases where allegations of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence feature.
There was consensus in the public consultation that the means to address parental alienation lie in improvements to the Irish family courts and family justice system. Reflecting this consensus, the policy paper put forward six recommendations to address the issue of parental alienation, which are also linked to actions within the Family Justice Strategy. They centre on progressing elements of family justice reform, building the system’s capacity to adequately hear the voice of children, and improve the knowledge, skills and experience of all those involved in order to make the best determinations in relation to each case on its own merits. This is especially important in high-conflict cases, in which allegations of parental alienation can often arise. These recommendations, and the plans for implementation were accepted by Government and are currently being progressed by my Department and the Family Justice Implementation Group.
The current status of the recommendations contained in the Parental Alienation Policy Paper is provided below.
|
Recommendation |
Status |
|
Recommendation 1: Give priority to children’s voices being heard and considered by the court and support them in their journey through the system. |
In October 2024, my Department established a Voice of the Child Working Group with membership comprising both statutory and voluntary stakeholders in the family justice system. The group is taking forward some of the recommendations in the Review of Expert Reports, including the development of the Children’s Court Advocate Pilot Project and the development of a Voice of the Child report template and guidelines. As part of its work, the Voice of the Child Working Group recently commissioned a consultation with children and young people to inform the development of the pilot and the report template and guidelines. The envisaged role of a Children’s Court Advocate is to support children in their journey through private family law proceedings, providing information and ensuring their voice is heard. €3 million was allocated to implement some of the recommendations of the Review in Budget 2025 and part of that will go towards funding the pilot. A request for tender to commission a service to run the pilot concluded on 15 September 2025. Subject to the completion of the procurement process, the pilot is expected to be established by the end of the year. |
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Recommendation 2: Examine how these reports are conducted, what they contain and how assessors are appointed. Provide additional training for those tasked with compiling assessments, particularly in relation to the dynamics of family breakdown. |
On 13 June 2024, a wide-ranging review into the role of expert reports in the family law process was published. The Review sets out 20 ambitious recommendations for reform, the implementation of which will, amongst other things, promote consistency and common standards in hearing the voice of the child and safeguarding their best interests. The Chief Justice has established a Judicial Committee to develop guidelines on the commissioning, content and use of welfare reports chaired by the Honourable Ms Justice Nuala Jackson of the High Court. The Committee is being supported by my Department and is expected to conclude its work shortly. The Family Justice Training Working Group was established in July 2024. The role of the Group is to: - Research the minimum standards and recommended training required for professions working in the family justice area; - Identify professional development opportunities to address identified gaps relevant to profession/relevant to all where appropriate; and - Engage with educational and professional bodies and associations to develop and implement training across professions in core family justice areas e.g. child-centred approach, dispute resolution, trauma-informed practice to review existing training needs for those working within family justice and to develop effective and relevant training programmes. The group has met on a number of occasions, and its work to identify the necessary standards and areas of training for family justice is continuing. |
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Recommendation 3: Review assessment tools currently available to the courts, with a view to making recommendations to improve them, as well as identifying how to assist judges in considering issues on a case-by-case basis. |
As noted above, a review of expert reports was published by the Department in June 2024 and the Family Justice Training Working Group was established in July 2024. The Judicial Council who are responsible for providing training for judges are a member of the group. As part of the Family Courts Act 2024, dedicated judges will be listed for family law cases. This will be an important element of reform to provide enhanced skills and greater space for consideration of issues on a case-by-case basis. An implementation plan for the Act will be published in January 2026 and engagement with the Judicial Studies Committee of the Judicial Council will be required as part of the implementation process. |
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Recommendation 4: Support and extend family support services, including ADR, and make them more accessible. |
Work on developing a directory of services, initially for the Dublin area, which will assist parents in finding relevant information and support is at an advanced stage. Work on increasing awareness and promotion of ADR among professionals, families and service users is ongoing. In particular, the Courts Service family law information hub provides detailed information for court users on many aspects of family law proceedings, as well as signposting people to services including mediation. The Legal Aid Board has also initiated a call back service for its Family Mediation Service. In delivering another action in the Family Justice Strategy, the Legal Aid Board has established a panel of private mediators to supplement its in-house family mediators to deliver an expanded service across the country. |
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Recommendation 5: Improve the training and awareness amongst legal professionals and others involved in high-conflict proceedings to increase their understanding of concepts and descriptors associated with behaviours of parents and children in these situations. |
As noted above, the Family Justice Training Working Group was established in July 2024. The Judicial Council is a member of the group. |
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Recommendation 6: Actions should be implemented with regards to establishing, and in some areas improving, data collection on family justice issues. |
The Department is currently undertaking an in-depth data mapping exercise and a policy paper will be developed with recommendations on how family justice data collection can be improved. A tender process for a Family Law Reporting Project closed on 15 September 2025 and the bids are currently being evaluated. The overall aim of the Project is to enhance transparency both for the public about family law proceedings and confidence in the judicial determination of family law disputes, while continuing to ensure the privacy of those proceedings for children and families. The systematic reports on aspects of family law cases that the Project will produce and publish will further public understanding and awareness of, and confidence in, the judicial determination of family law disputes. It is expected that the project will run for three years. |
278. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the complete breakdown of the number of young persons referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, by Garda district within the Dublin region for the past three years, in tabular form. [54513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, it has not been possible to compile the information in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is available.
279. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the complete breakdown of the number of young persons referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, by Garda district within the Cork region for the past three years, in tabular form. [54514/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the complete breakdown of the number of young persons referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, by Garda district within the Tipperary/Clare region for the past three years, in tabular form. [54515/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the complete breakdown of the number of young persons referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, by Garda district within the Limerick region for the past three years, in tabular form. [54516/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra282. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the complete breakdown of the number of young persons referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, by Garda district within the Galway region for the past three years, in tabular form. [54517/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280, 281 and 282 together.
Through the Programme for Government and the Youth Justice Strategy, I am committed to improving outcomes for young people at risk of a life of criminality through investment in youth justice services.
The statutory framework relating to young offenders (between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age), and inclusion in the Garda Youth Diversion Programme, is set out in the Children Act 2001. The Act provides that where a young person under 18 years of age is responsible for committing a crime, the young person shall be considered for admission to the Youth Diversion Programme. In order for a young person to be admitted to the Programme, the child must take responsibility for their offending behaviour; agree to be cautioned by a Garda; and, when appropriate, agree to terms of supervision.
The Diversion Programme is supported by a network of Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). YDPs are community-based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives, which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime or antisocial behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk.
Funding for YDPs and other Youth Justice measures has increased substantially in recent years, from €18 million in 2020 to a total allocation of just over €36 million in 2025. A significant allocation of €7.3 million in additional core exchequer funding for Youth Justice measures was announced as part of Budget 2026. This represents a more than 20% increase on 2025’s allocation and will enable the roll out of a comprehensive, nationwide network of YDPs covering every part of the State.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below provides a breakdown of young people referred to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme in the Cork region by Garda division, the Clare/Tipperary division, the Limerick division and the Galway division for the past three years:
|
Division |
2023 |
2024 |
2025(YTD) |
Total |
|
Cork City |
291 |
253 |
258 |
802 |
|
Cork County |
339 |
336 |
217 |
892 |
|
Limerick |
288 |
272 |
263 |
823 |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
356 |
292 |
278 |
926 |
|
Galway |
288 |
305 |
260 |
853 |
Please note, the above data was downloaded from PULSE on 7 October 2025. It includes referrals with a date created between 2023 and to date in 2025.
The above data includes all referrals made to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.
283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in view of increased recruitment, the plans being considered to train and accommodate trainee Gardaí; and to detail any proposal to expand the facilities at Templemore. [54199/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGetting more Gardaí on our streets to prevent crime is my first priority as Minister for Justice.
This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy.
The Garda Vote in Budget 2026 includes unprecedented funding of €2.59 billion which will support the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
The Recruitment and Training Capacity Group was established in 2024 to support the achievement of increased recruitment. The Group has now completed its work and has published their report, which details the changes that have been made by An Garda Síochána and publicjobs to their end-to-end processes for Garda Trainee recruitment, shortened recruitment timeframes, reform of the physical competency test, introduction of an Assessment Centre approach to elements of recruitment and two recruitment competitions launched in 2025. These changes have significantly improved the situation on recruitment and the Group is satisfied that the process has been made much more efficient. The group’s final report is available on my Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/an-garda-s%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na-recruitment-training-capacity-group-report-september-2025/
The Group has recommended that research be conducted to gain further insight on the decision-making process of potential Garda recruits, to help inform further enhancements to the recruitment process.
The Report also recommends that a Working Group be established to consider specifically the case for a second training college and the role that the tertiary system could play in the delivery of Garda training. I've asked for that work to be expedited.
In respect of the Garda College in Templemore works commenced on the campus during the summer of 2025 and will be overseen by OPW. The intention is that when this work is completed, the College will be able to accommodate up to 250 trainees per intake.
284. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the merger of the ISPCA and DSPCA into a national SPCA; if he will address concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the interim measures he intends to put in place to ensure national inspectorate coverage during the transition period to a national SPCA and ensure that enforcement capacity is not weakened by the focus on organisational restructuring; if he can provide clarity on timelines, resources and governance for the new national body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54238/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra288. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the merger of the ISPCA and the DSPCA signals a shift in Department policy toward centralisation of animal welfare services; if so, the rationale; how national coverage will be maintained or improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54241/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra289. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department plans to support or issue specific charities that play critical roles in local animal welfare but may lack the scale of the newly merged SPCA organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54242/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra290. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how his Department will evaluate whether the merger of the ISPCA and the DSPCA results in improved animal welfare outcomes nationally, not just improved administration within the merged charity; if there will be a review of the overall funding model to ensure it reflects evolving needs, especially with over 100 registered animal welfare charities in the country; if he will commit to a public consultation or stakeholder forum to review how animal welfare funding is distributed and measured in light of this structural change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54243/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the merged ISPCA–DSPCA entity will now receive approximately one-third of all national animal welfare funding, the way in which his Department will ensure that smaller, regional and grassroots charities are not further marginalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54245/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will review its grant allocation to ensure fairness, transparency and proportionality, particularly in light of the consolidation between the ISPCA-DSCPA; the safeguards that will be put in place to ensure this concentration of funding does not reduce services or support in areas not directly served by the merged charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54246/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 284, 285, 288, 289, 290, 292 and 293 together.
Animal welfare is a key priority for me, as Minister, and for the Government. I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out, often in very challenging circumstances, by animal welfare organisations and their dedicated volunteers and staff across Ireland. Animal welfare charities play a crucial role in helping animals in need, educating people, and raising public awareness about improving animal welfare.
With regard to the organisations mentioned by the Deputy, my Department has no involvement in the day-to-day running of animal welfare charities. It is therefore at the discretion of an organisation to deploy resources where they deem can have the maximum impact with regard to their financial situation.
Each year my Department invites eligible animal welfare charities to submit a funding application through the Animal Welfare grants programme. To qualify, applicants must meet specified requirements, which are made available through the application process, with awards made on the basis of objective criteria which are reviewed on an annual basis.
Last year €6 million of funding was provided to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide, through the animal welfare grant programme. These awards also support the provision of education and knowledge sharing to the public on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, helping to raise animal welfare standards.
The 2025 Animal Welfare grants process is underway, with applications currently under assessment by my Department and I expect to announce the results of the application process in December.
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: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
286. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently review the allocation of funding under the animal welfare grant programme and the designation of authorised officers under Section 37 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54239/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will appoint designated inspectors to an organisation (details supplied) as authorised officers to close current enforcement gaps for at least ten counties, to provide legal certainty in ongoing investigations and support Gardaí during the transition to a national SPCA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54240/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.
In November 2024, my Department provided funding of almost €6 million to 101 animal welfare charities throughout the country. The figure awarded represents a very significant increase on previous years and greatly exceeded the Programme for Government commitment to double the €2.4 million of funding available to animal welfare charities from the 2020 budget.
The 2025 animal welfare grants process is currently underway. The purpose of the animal welfare grants is to support the operational activities of registered animal welfare charities that meet certain criteria. 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. These awards align with government policy and the goals set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, Working Together for Animal Welfare. Applications are currently under assessment by my Department and I expect to announce the results of the application process in December.
Since the introduction of the Animal Health and Welfare Act approximately 1000 staff within my Department have been designated as authorised officers under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department’s network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country providing nationwide coverage. Their responsibilities include carrying out welfare inspections in every county and providing advice and support to the keepers of animals. Primary responsibility for protecting the welfare of animals’ rests with the owner or keeper.
Authorised officers regularly carry out inspections and investigations and work towards ensuring the welfare of animals and legislative compliance with interventions ranging from advice, to warning and to legal compliance notices. When necessary, legal sanctions are imposed, and prosecutions are taken when other efforts to ensure compliance have failed or there is blatant disregard for an animal’s welfare. To date over 200 successful prosecutions have been taken under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, and a number of other investigations are ongoing.
