Tony Gregory
Ceist:623 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on the request for funding by the Irish Seal Sanctuary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26901/01]
Written Answers. - Irish Seal Sanctuary.
My Department has received a number of applications for funding from the Irish Seal Sanctuary. The Irish Seal Sanctuary has made many approaches in the past for aid in running its existing facility at Garristown and is currently seeking aid for the provision of a new facility at Rodgerstown. I met some time ago with representatives of the Irish Seal Sanctuary at their request to discuss their future plans for the sanctuary and officials from my Department later examined their draft development plan. The work of the Irish Seal Sanctuary involves the rehabilitation of injured or distressed seals and caters for a relatively small number of injured seals rather than contributing to the overall conservation of the species, which is my Department's area of responsibility. On this basis the provision of funding for the Irish Seal Sanctuary by my Department does not arise.