My Department provides funding to animal welfare organisations directly involved in animal care and welfare services. This funding is intended only as a contribution to the overall costs of an organisation. Payments are made at year end and the following payments have been made to the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT).
Year Amount
2011 €30,000
2012 €35,000
2013 €49,000
2014 €60,000
2015 €87,000
2016 €50,000
No further direct payments have been made to date in 2017. The 2017 Exgratia Scheme will be advertised shortly and it is open to the IHWT to make an application for funding. A payment of €1,348 was made to the IHWT in 2015 to assist with the microchipping and passporting of Co Wicklow traveller owned horses. Strict governance rules apply to the provision of Department funding.
In the case of the equine passporting clinics, these were carried out by a PVP. With regard to ex-gratia funding, all recipients of funding are issued with Terms and Conditions to be adhered to by welfare organisations in receipt of funds. These include the necessity for compliance with good governance and with all animal health and welfare legislation etc. From 1 January 2017 only organisations registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority will be eligible to apply for ex-gratia funding from this Department.