Funding for animal welfare centres welcomed

Tipperary Sinn Féin Martin Browne has welcomed increased funding allocations for animal welfare centres, but has urged the Department of Agriculture to do more to ensure these organisations can access funding that is adequate for their needs.

Teachta Browne said: “An increase in the Animal Welfare Grant is welcome, because the costs incurred by many of these organisations can in some cases, become insurmountable. These organisations go to great lengths to be able to meet the demand that is placed on them.

“Unfortunately, as we have seen locally in recent times, some of these organisations are overwhelmed by the demand and simply do not have the financial resources to meet that demand.

“I have pointed this out to the Department of Agriculture on a number of occasions, and have appealed to the Department to ensure that the increased level of demand that individual organisations are faced with are taken into account when the allocation of funding is being decided upon.

“Any increase in funding must go towards the organisations that need it. This has not always happened in the past, and this is something I also raised with the Department.

“Today’s increases are welcome, but they will soon be depleted with the bills that face many of these organisations. More needs to be done, and funding needs to be directed towards those who have the most immediate need of funding.

“Costs have gone up for these organisations as they have for everyone. And when demand increases as well, we need to see an appropriate response.

“I therefore welcome the overall increase in the Animal Welfare Grant as announced today, such as allocated to PAWS Animal Rescue. But more must be done. I would urge the Department to remember that its obligations to these organisations do not end here.

“The department must keep itself aware of the challenges that will face these organisations between now and next December’s funding announcement and respond accordingly.

“Animal Welfare Organisations provide a very important service to the animals they care for, and the communities they serve. They must be treated and supported as such.”