2764. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the funding levels provided to animal welfare organisations is sufficient to deal with their extensive workload and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62786/26]

2765. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding any proposals to provide multi-annual funding for animal welfare organisations to allow for longer term planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62785/26]

2770. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the funding levels provided to an animal welfare organisation (details supplied) is sufficient to deal with their extensive workload and responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62787/26]

2778. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider providing for a specific fund for animal welfare charities to deal with the care of abandoned older pets or pets with serious illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62965/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2764, 2765, 2770 and 2778 together.

Animal 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 veterinary services, education and knowledge sharing to the public on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership, helping to raise animal welfare standards.

In December 2025, I provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country including €2.606,825 to the National Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. However, all charities are advised not to place an over reliance on my Department's animal welfare funding and are encouraged to fund raise independently for the assurance of financial stability within their organisations. 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.

My Department is not involved in the day to day running of any of the charities. It is therefore at the discretion of each charity to deploy resources where they deem can have the maximum impact with regard to their financial situation including provision of subsidised veterinary care to older animals.

A decision on the level of funding provided for animal welfare organisations, in 2026, will be made later in the year. There are currently no plans to introduce multi annual funding allocations.