Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
939. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding that is to be made available for animal welfare organisations in 2021; and if this reflects the agreed doubling of funding for such organisations in the programme for Government. [5395/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes an undertaking to increase the funding available to animal welfare organisations over the coming years; I am fully committed to this undertaking.
I announced record funding of €3.2 million in December 2020 to 101 animal welfare organisations throughout the country. This was an increase on funding announced in December 2019 of €2.9 million.
Other measures undertaken by my Department to support animal welfare include the continued operation of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council's Early Warning system, a multi-stakeholder group that meets on a regional basis. Where weather or other unexpected events have led to problems in certain locations, my Department has acted quickly and effectively on a case-by-case basis to bring feed or other essential emergency supplies to particular premises or organisations.
Earlier this week, I launched the first over-arching national Animal Welfare Strategy for Ireland. This provides a framework under which all animal welfare matters can be consider for the future. It is underpinned by five guiding principles: working in partnership; science and evidence-led policy making; improving education and knowledge; consistent evaluation and assessment and an effective regulatory system.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of our support system for animal welfare charities to ensure, in the context of increased funding levels, that the appropriate governance arrangement are in place to ensure continued alignment with animal welfare policies objectives and priorities. The level of funding available and the disbursement method for 2021 will be determined following this review.
